Darkened Glass Reflections

Tag: trials

  • Persecution and Privilege

    Persecution and Privilege

    The apostles rejoiced “that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.” The world teaches us to consider ourselves privileged, honored, and worthy when we receive rewards. In God’s kingdom, we show ourselves to be worthy of rewards when we are willing to suffer for Christ’s sake.

  • The Way of Escape (1 Corinthians 10:13)

    The Way of Escape (1 Corinthians 10:13)

    We have heard that “God will not give you more than you can handle.” Our own ability will not get us through overwhelming trials. Our source of strength is God’s power and faithfulness.

  • God’s Everlasting Love (Jeremiah 31:3)

    God’s Everlasting Love (Jeremiah 31:3)

    God’s love is eternal. It outlasts hardship. It endures beyond pain and suffering. God remains faithful and continues to love us when we may not be sure we can love ourselves. No matter what you are going through or how far you have wandered from His will, He is still just a prayer away.

  • Faith, Righteousness, Rights, and Hard Times

    Faith, Righteousness, Rights, and Hard Times

    We do not prove our faith by twisting Scriptures to explain why we should be comfortable. Faith is validated when we persevere during trials, tribulations, and persecution. We do not prove our faith when life is easy, claim our blessings, attend church, post Bible verses online, or celebrate our comforts. We show our faith when…

  • “You Can Do All Things”: When God Does Not Follow Our Rules

    “You Can Do All Things”: When God Does Not Follow Our Rules

    God is sovereign and can do all things. That does not mean He will always do what we think He should.

  • Your Best Life, NOT Now—Second Corinthians 4:16–18

    Your Best Life, NOT Now—Second Corinthians 4:16–18

    God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life, but it is not necessarily your plan, and it does not guarantee “your best life now.”

  • Remaining Alert—Luke 21:34–36

    Remaining Alert—Luke 21:34–36

    Conjecture about the future distracts believers from the here-and-now. We can be overly concerned about living through the Great Tribulation, but first we need to survive the temptations of today. If we cannot overcome sin and Satan in today’s small conflicts, how can we overcome if full-blown persecution comes to our country?

  • I Can Do All Things

    There is a great promise in Philippians 4:13, but it is not the one that many people claim. It is not a promise that you can achieve any wild fantasy that enters your mind, or accomplish some great goal that will make you rich, powerful, and popular. It is the promise that, whatever difficulties you…

  • Faithfulness in Hard Times

    We serve an eternal God who created infinite space and a vast universe. Yet, we often have the audacity to think we can dictate or define the outcome of our obedience when we go through trials.

  • Unceasing Devotion

    First Thessalonians 5:16–18 provides some insight into how Christians can have God’s peace in hard times: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”