JT has some great thoughts from J. I. Packer on dealing with troubles.
In Knowing God (p. 97) J. I. Packer writes about how to understand the “unexpected and upsetting and discouraging things” that happen to us. What do they mean?
Simply that God in his wisdom means to make something of us which we have not [...]
Archive for the ‘trials’ Category
What’s God up to in my trials?
Posted in trials, tagged packer, trials on September 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Don’t waste your cancer!
Posted in trials on August 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I know Matthew (only in the sense that I have met him once and know of him through other friends. I also know this church–excellent church in the Greenville, SC area. Excellent thoughts on how to use a difficult diagnosis for the glory of God.
Lord’s Day Eve Hymn
Posted in hymns, trials, tagged hymn on August 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
Every day, the Lord [...]
How to handle trouble
Posted in trials on March 1, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
God often advances His cause in our lives through trial. Instead of complaining and getting angry or falling apart, we should be looking for ways God can advance His work through our trials. Here are five action steps that we glean from Paul’s response to the trouble he relates in Philippians 1.
First, rest that God [...]
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Understanding and Coping
Posted in trials on December 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The latest CCEF web article begins:
Do you repeatedly check your door to make sure it’s really locked? Do you worry about germs and contamination even though you mop and wipe many times a day? Do you wash your hands excessively after touching doorknobs? Have you battled the repeated thought that you might physically harm your [...]
3 responses to trials
Posted in trials, tagged suffering, trials on December 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Jerry Bridges says that as Christians we have three responses to trials in our lives. Two are wrong.
#1 response: “I don’t deserve this!” (this is wrong for obvious reasons)
#2 response: “I do deserve this” (This is wrong because what we really deserve is hell).
#3 response: {I am getting what I need for my Christian growth–to [...]
Christmas and suffering
Posted in trials, tagged christmas, suffering on December 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Mary Beth Chapman (wife of Steven Curtis) writes about how this Christmas will be different, having lost a precious child earlier this year. Here’s an excerpt:
As I anticipate Christmas 2008, I have many thoughts flying through my heart and head. The last several days, my mind has not been able to stop thinking about Mary, [...]
Surprised by suffering?
Posted in trials, tagged suffering on December 11, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Some Christians believe that we should be immune to suffering and are very surprised when they experience it’s painful touch. D.A. Carson gives five reasons why he believes this is the case. This diagnostic might be helpful for each of us to consider in the face of past suffering, current suffering or suffering that will [...]
God in the furnace!
Posted in Christian life, trials on December 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
“As sure as God puts his children in the furnace, he will be in the furnace with them”–Charles H. Spurgeon. The God who permits believers to fall into fiery trials is the same God who can deliver them from these troubles.
So sing today,
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be [...]
A Steadfast Heart
Posted in Christian life, trials on December 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Would you describe your heart as faithful, steadfast, and fixed on God? Or would you consider it more unstable? Can you say today, “My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!” (Psalm 57:7).
Although written some 100 years ago, Pastor Alexander McClaren words are still worth hearing today:
For a [...]
