Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35,37-39 (NIV)
Check any that apply:
___Traumatic Event
___Strained Relationship
___Serious Health Problem
___Crushing Disappointment
___Unchangeable Circumstance
___Painful Loss
- Life is harder than you ever expected
Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward. Job 5:7 (NIV)
“In this world you will have trouble.” John 16:33b (NIV)
My days have passed; my plans have failed; my hope is gone. But my friends say night is daylight; they say that light is near, but I know I remain in darkness. My only hope is the world of the dead, where I will lie down to sleep in the dark. Job 17:11-13 (TEV)
Action Plan: If you are struggling and need support, Saddleback has a variety of support groups to help. To learn more about support groups, click here.
- God gives you resources to cope with life
“I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:33 (NCV)
Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete. Romans 12:2 (VOICE)
By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. Psalm 119:105 (Message)
Action Plan: Make God’s Word your first resource to learn how to cope with troubles that arise in your life. Write or type out Psalm 119:105 (above) and keep it with your Bible as a reminder of what God’s Word can do for you in times of darkness.
- I get to choose my responses in life
- Expand your connections
- Believe you are capable in God’s strength of handling anything
- Avoid expecting the worst
- Practice self-care
- Seek self-discovery
- Practice gratitude
- Decide today that nothing can destroy you
A friend is always a friend, and relatives are born to share our troubles. Proverbs 17:17 (CEV)
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer. Psalm 94:19 (TLB)
We can also learn from insults and hard knocks. Lamentations 3:30 (CEV)
Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just you were taught. And be grateful. Colossians 2:7 (CEV)
Action Plan: For each of the seven ways to respond to life’s struggles, write down one thing you can do to help you in that category (ex. Start going to Celebrate Recovery, join a small group, start a gratitude list, etc.).
Now . . .
Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 (NIV)
And one day . . .
He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. All of that has gone forever. Revelation 21:4 (TLB)
Doable Discipleship: Check out this week’s new episode (to be released on Tuesday) of the Doable Discipleship podcast featuring an interview with Pastor Dave Alford on how you are called to lead like Jesus. To watch or listen, click here.
