Showing posts with label trials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trials. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

What Can We Do with God - Martin Wiles

What Can We Do with God
In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. Psalm 18:29 NLT

Stephen Winter said, “Life is not ‘Hollywood’ perfect.”

Nathan found that out too. For fifteen years, he ambled in the wilderness, leaving God on the back burner. His marriage to his high school sweetheart was marred from the beginning when, on their honeymoon night, she said, “I miss my momma.” Six months later, she left him for a colleague. After a short fling, she moved in with another man. 

For three years, Nathan kept women at a distance. Then he decided to start fresh in a new town, where he met a young lady, fell in love, and married her two years later. He finally made his way back to God but watched this wife go through a mid-life crisis and leave him and their two children sixteen years later. 

Once again, Nathan wondered how God could have allowed it and how he would ever get through the mess he was in. But he did, and four years later God sent him a wonderful woman who pulled him out of his depression and repaired his broken life. He discovered he could do anything with God, but nothing without Him.

David the psalmist was a military man and a king, but he had faced his share of hardships on the way to his position—and still faced them. When the prophet Samuel came to anoint a new king for Israel, David’s father didn’t even invite him to the selection party and left him in the field tending sheep. Later, after becoming king, one of David’s sons led a rebellion, ran him out of town, and then topped off his insolence by sleeping with his father’s concubines in public view. But David made it through each tumultuous episode because he discovered he could do anything with God.

I’ve discovered what Stephen, Nathan, David, and many others have: life isn’t perfect just because I have chosen to follow God. God doesn’t promise it will be. He does promise, however, that with his strength, we’ll get through, that the trial will contain a seed from which we can learn valuable lessons, and that we’ll grow spiritually if we respond with trust instead of bitterness. 

With God’s strength, you can face whatever life throws your way. Trust him when the trials come. 

Father, help me meet life’s trials in your strength, not my own. 



If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.


Friday, September 11, 2026

Puddled by Puddles - Martin Wiles

Puddled by Puddles
He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, For they were too strong for me. Psalm 18:16-17 NKJV

Spring showers caused them to pop up everywhere.

My maternal grandmother called them mud puddles, and she knew all about them. Living in the flatlands of South Carolina, I saw them after spring and summer rains. Water crawled into roadside ditches, fields, potholes, and low places in dirt driveways until it had time to soak into the ground. 

And as the puddles waited to be absorbed into the dirt or for the sun’s heat to suck them into the atmosphere, my cousin—who lived beside my grandparents—and I waited nearby to play in them when the rain stopped. 

We knew nothing finer than removing our shoes and wading in mud puddles or running through them—at which point our entire clothes got wet. Since the summers were hot and humid, the water on our feet and bodies felt exhilarating until our grandmother pulled us away from our game. 

Our dalliances in the mud and water meant she’d have to wash clothes—and us. And who knew what might lounge beneath the water’s surface. Ringworms or other parasites, jagged glass, and tin cans come to mind. All recipes for a trip to the doctor or the emergency room. 

As our grandmother drew us from our trysts in the shallow puddles, so the psalmist said God drew him out of many waters, which represented his enemies’ attempt to harm him. 

For the believer, opposition comes naturally. It’s explained by the presence of light and darkness. We walk in the light while those who ignore God choose darkness. According to Jesus, these two things don’t mesh. One will always oppose the other because light exposes darkness’ dastardly intentions. 

Although opposition is unfavorable, God is sovereign over any opposition we face. Even if it brings unfathomable consequences or ends in our demise, he still controls it and is forever greater than any opposition we face. 

Opposition also confirms our identity. Jesus said if his enemies persecuted him, they would also torment his followers. The truth of his statement decorates Christian history.  

Comforting, however, is the thought that one day all opposition against the truth will be brought under the full authority of Christ’s reign. Believers living in the new heaven and on the new earth won’t experience it because God will eliminate all forces of sin. 

Puddles of opposition may be numerous, but God will deliver us from them all. 

Father, thank you for the privilege of suffering for your name. I am comforted in knowing that you will deliver me through or from the puddles of opposition. 



If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.


Wednesday, September 9, 2026

The New Family - Lynne Phipps

The New Family
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families. Psalm 68:5-6 NIV

After my horse Frank’s mother died, he was very lonely. They had spent ten years together and formed their own family unit. Now, she was gone. He moped about for weeks and seemed to lose all interest in life. When let out of the corral onto our fenced acreage to graze, he was fearful and stayed close to the corral. We had three goats as well, plus a pack of dogs, but he shunned their company. 

Not until our property was threatened by a grizzly bear did things change. The goats needed protection, and Frank realized that only he and the dogs could provide it. At that moment, he chose to join the canine pack and confront the grizzly, who, knowing he was outnumbered, fled into the forest. From that time forward, Frank moved out of his grief and into a strong relationship with the goats and the dogs as his new family. 

God cares when we grieve. He cares when we find ourselves alone in life, due to any number of circumstances. He knows the hole that has been left in our heart when loved ones are lost and the depression which can so easily overtake us amidst such loss. He knows, and he cares. He cares so much that he does something about it: He sets the lonely in families. This is a promise. Like Frank, however, we need to embrace the new family he sets before us.  

If grief has us in its grips, we don't have to despair. We can cling to God’s truth: He sets the lonely in families. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, saves those who are crushed in spirit, and binds up their wounds. Healing is happening even now, though it may not feel like it. One day at a time, the darkness will recede a little more. The light will begin to shine as we trust and cling to him who loves us and will never leave or forsake us.  

When our hearts are ready, a new family relationship that God is even now preparing will come our way. It will never take the place of what we have lost, for nothing ever can. It may even be far different than we could ever imagine, but it will be good and right and lovely. It will meet the need of our heart and grant us the joy, companionship, and love that God knows we each crave, long for, and need. 

Ask God now to prepare your heart to accept the good gift that, in his time, will come your way.

Thank you, Lord, that you heal the brokenhearted and save the crushed in spirit. Thank you for promising to set the lonely in families. Prepare the hearts of the grieving from the loss of family to accept the good gift of new family relationships you will bring their way. In Christ’s name, amen.



Lynne Phipps and her family live on a small hobby farm in the heart of Alberta, Canada’s farming country. She has been writing devotions for forty years and never tires of the spiritual correlation the Holy Spirit blesses her with. He uses normal everyday events and the behaviors of the multitude of glorious creatures He has brought across her path to point her to the truths of God. Lynne is a devotion writer for VineWords: Devotions and More, Christian Devotions, and Love Lines from God. 


If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.



Monday, September 7, 2026

Perplexed by Trials - Martin Wiles

Perplexed by Trials
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NLT

Rain is not a deterrent—just an inconvenience. 

I’d heard the saying from seasoned hikers. And since I loved to hike, I’d said it a few times myself. Had I postponed hiking trips because of the chance of rain, I would have stayed home more than I hiked. Unless the forecast was for a total washout, I proceeded with my plans and prepared accordingly. 

One such trip was to Tray Mountain in northeastern Georgia. Before reaching the summit, hikers come to a rocky mound with a 360-degree view. But not on this trip. Clouds covered the peak and valleys like a blanket. Occasionally, the stiff winds blew away enough clouds for me to see the surrounding beauty. 

My desire to hike or camp always overruled the inconvenience of rain. I simply prepared for inclement weather by taking a raincoat, a pack cover, and quick-drying clothes. Rain didn’t perplex me. In fact, I learned to expect it when hiking in the mountains—which make their own weather. 

Perhaps Paul was perplexed by his trial—an unidentified thorn in the flesh. He wouldn’t be the first. Old Testament Job—and a host of others—was as well. When living righteously and loving God supremely, it didn’t make sense for life to be tough. Shouldn’t it have been easy?

God has the power to initiate or allow trials. When He allows them, Satan is the instigator. He hopes the trial will make us bitter and frustrated or make us want to give up. That’s never God’s intention when he initiates or allows them. He has good intentions—along with the power to turn around Satan’s plans and overrule them for good.

Rather than getting perplexed by trials, we can focus on their positive effects. They can grow us, making us stronger spiritually so we can face life with a different attitude. They can draw out our ingenuity. God doesn’t usually fix things automatically, but he will give us wisdom, under his power, to discern the correct course of action. Trials cause us to look at life differently—to examine our priorities. And they also propel us into actions we might not otherwise take. 

Instead of being perplexed by your trials, let God show you the positive side effects of them. 

Father, when I move through difficult seasons of life, show me the positive things that can result. 


If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.


Friday, August 28, 2026

When God Thunders - Martin Wiles

when God thunders
The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded amid the hail and burning coals. Psalm 18:13 NLT

We counted—1 1,000, 2 1,000, 3 1000—and then ran for cover. 

One church my father pastored was populated by farming families, one of whom grew hundreds of acres of watermelons. When the watermelon farmer offered me a part-time job in the afternoons, I accepted. 

The fields were shrouded with weeds as tall as I was. Humidity sweltered, and I sweated and choked for air as I heaved the watermelons onto the back of the farm truck. The midsummer climate made conditions perfect for afternoon thunderstorms. When we saw the first flash of lightning, we counted. Three seconds equaled a mile. If we didn’t get to 3 1,000s before we heard the clap of thunder, we ran for whatever cover we could find.

I’ve repeated the same procedure while hiking in the mountains. Thunder is the sound of lightning, and though the chances of being struck by lightning are slim, the chances increase when I’m in an unprotected environment. 

When the psalmist described God’s approach to deal with his enemies, he chose the sound of thunder. Thunder is frightening because of its association with lightning. And God’s power can be just as frightening or comforting—depending on whether I’m His friend or enemy. 

Thunder can be a low rumble or an ear-piercing clap. The first doesn’t normally frighten me, but the second sends me scurrying for cover. Hearing God can be similar. Sometimes his voice heard in my spirit is loud and clear, while at other times it’s barely perceptible. 

Unconfessed sin will keep us from hearing God, but sin isn’t the only thing that makes his voice sound like a rumble instead of a loud clap. Busyness, misplaced priorities, and selfishness can all play a part. 

Several conclusions, however, do bring comfort. God is continuously speaking to our spirits. Things in our lives may soften his whisper, but he speaks nevertheless. God wants us to hear him. When we don’t, we tend to do things our way, which leads us astray. Preparing daily to hear God is crucial. Beginning the morning with a prayer asking him to speak clearly and to help you hear clearly helps. Praying on the armor he provides is also a good follow-up (Ephesians 6:11-18). 

Do whatever is necessary to hear God when he thunders.

Father, enable me to hear you clearly when you speak from the heavens. 



If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.


Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Curing the Whines - Rita Pueschner

Curing the Whines
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NIV

Felicia, my feline child, had the whines one afternoon. Her constant, high-pitched meowing grated on my nerves and left me wondering what she wanted. She showed no interest in playing with Jingles the jellyfish or any of her other toys scattered across the living room floor. We’d had lunch and cuddle time, but evidently catnap time wasn’t on her agenda. She didn’t even want to practice her tunnel tumbling. Things were just not to her liking. I guess she’s forgotten about the year and a half she spent confined to a cage at an animal rescue before I adopted her. She has gone from being homeless to becoming queen of the household. She should be grateful. Where is her appurrciation? She needed to learn a little about curing the whines.

On that thought, God reminded me of my own whiny tendencies. Sometimes, things are just not to my liking either. Perhaps my well-laid plans have gone awry, or I’ve been disappointed, and the whining begins. 

But then I look around and see how God has blessed me. I look within myself and see a woman transformed by His forgiveness and grace—rescued from a wayward, self-indulgent lifestyle. I’ve gone from being on a downward spiral of sin to becoming a cherished child of God Most High, who has promised me an eternal home with Him in heaven. So what do I have to whine about? Where is my appreciation?

The Bible tells us to “rejoice in the Lord always.” Our joy in the Lord should be based on who He is to us—not on how things are going for us. I’ve found that when I get a case of the whines, the best cure is to recall all that God has done for me and show Him my gratitude through thanksgiving and praise. When we focus on God’s goodness and His loving presence in our lives, our whining gives way to rejoicing. 

If you get the whines, pause and reflect on everything you have to be grateful for. Spend time with God, thanking Him for who He is and what He’s done for you. Rejoice in God’s goodness, even when things don’t seem purrfect.



Rita Pueschner is a recent retail retiree and is excited about pursuing new opportunities to do God’s work. She was almost fifty when she acknowledged her need for salvation, and God transformed her life by His amazing grace. Now she wants to share her faith through writing and to encourage others in their Christian walk. Rita leads a prayer ministry for people and their pets and is a devoted cat mom.




If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.


Friday, July 3, 2026

Faith over Feelings - Martin Wiles

faith over feelings
I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed. Job 23:8-9 NLT

Feelings don’t always mirror reality.

Frank had hit bottom. He couldn’t imagine losing any more than he had already lost. His roller coaster ride began with his wife’s confession of unfaithfulness. He had his suspicions, and he had noticed people at church whispering. But he trusted her and had promised to love her for better or for worse. Now, however, he knew he couldn’t trust her. She didn’t love him and wanted a divorce.

Had Frank worked a regular job, his wife’s leaving probably wouldn’t have mattered. But his profession made a difference. His personal and family life weighed heavily on the outcome like a piece of lead. When he shared his news with the church leaders, they suggested he resign. Since he and his family lived in a church-owned home, he knew what that meant. Finding a place to live. 

The confession started the dominoes tumbling. Over the next few years, Frank experienced numerous fallouts. He lost his retirement savings, withdrawing it to pay bills. He took a job making one-third of his church salary, which meant some bills went unpaid. Soon, the collection agencies would knock on his email and snail mail doors. Months later, he found himself alone after his daughter went to college and his son decided to live with his mom. 

Frank never imagined facing such dire straits, but he never forgot that God hadn’t left him. Regardless of how he felt—and he often experienced that “dark night of the soul”—his faith remained anchored in God. 

I, too, have experienced some “dark nights of the soul.” Times when God felt distant and unconcerned. Job experienced the same. He lost almost all a person could lose—and God allowed it. Satan needed proof that Job wasn’t merely following God because of God’s blessings. 

When we experience those dark nights, we must remember that God hasn’t left us. He promises never to leave or forsake us, and his character hasn’t changed. He knows all we experience and controls the intensity and duration. We can also remember his unconditional love. Allowing us to experience valleys leads to spiritual growth, not detriment. Additionally, we can recall his power. With a spoken word, he can end our cloudy days—and will, at just the right time. 

When you feel God has left you in the darkest valley, remember feelings don’t always mirror reality. 

Father, thank you for never leaving me during my dark night of the soul.



I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.



Friday, May 15, 2026

How to Conquer Stress - Martin Wiles

How to Conquer Stress
In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure. Isaiah 33:6 NLT

Living a stress-free life is impossible. Therefore, how to conquer stress is the challenge. 

Women report they experience stress for the following reasons: contradictory feelings, changing expectations, new freedoms but fewer options, guilt over working outside the home, too much to do with too little time, fatigue, boredom, unrealistic expectations, role conflicts, and pressures from the workplace. The top five stressors reported by women were the death of a spouse, divorce, marriage, the death of a family member, and being fired.

For men, the four major stressors concern their bodies, careers, families, and personal issues. Although men and women face similar stressors, men seem to handle them in an unhealthier manner. Symptoms that appear as men age include high blood pressure, body aches, ulcers, heartburn, and headaches. Statistically, they also die earlier than women (Wright, H Norman. Winning over Your Emotions).

The nation of Israel faced its own set of stressors—many brought on by its repeated disobedience to God. God often used pagan nations to correct their wayward behavior, but he also assured Israel of his love and protection when they obeyed.

Although we cannot eliminate stress, we can conquer it, but how?

Welcome small doses of stress

These get our adrenaline flowing and propel us into actions that can benefit us, our churches, our communities, and even the world. A life completely free of stressors would be boring and uneventful. Too many stressors—or the wrong type--can inflict emotional, physical, and spiritual pain—leading to our detriment.

Have a correct view of God

God is not a distant deity who has no concerns for the events in our lives. He walks beside us, lives within us by his Spirit, and wants to direct our paths to an abundant life. But we must give him control and believe he is in control.

Build time to relax

Opportunities to serve God and others abound, but we can’t take advantage of them all. Asking God which ones he wants us to snatch is important. As Jesus took time to relax, we must also make time for our families and ourselves.

Re-evaluating your view of self

The why of what we're doing that’s leading to stress is more important than what we're doing. If ulterior motives are involved, stress is sure to accumulate.

Don’t let stress conquer you; let God help you conquer it.

Father, give us life guidance so our bodies will not be conquered by the ill effects of stress. 


If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Monday, May 11, 2026

Peeled Like a Potato - Martin Wiles

Peeled Like a Potato
When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. Hosea 1:2 NLT

I stood with a bag of potatoes beside me, a knife in my hand, and what appeared like eternity in front of me.

Corporal tunnel surgery had not slowed my wife down much—and I was glad since, at the time, she was our cook at church for Wednesday night meals. Although I was prepared to fix the meal under her supervision, I got off with a lighter duty.

“How good are you at peeling potatoes?” she asked.

“Okay, I suppose,” I answered and took the knife she handed me.

“Peel half of this bag.”

When I finished peeling, she said, “Now slice them and then dice them into small pieces so they’ll cook quickly.”

The dish was simple. She was merely browning the potatoes and adding a little butter and other seasoning. Yet almost an hour was spent getting ready to make the dish. Peeling and preparing a potato can be a lengthy process.

Hosea was peeled like a potato. God’s call to him involved marrying a prostitute—or a woman with promiscuous leanings--and having her bear him children through adulterous relationships. Seems like a strange plan, but his life episode would illustrate Israel’s unfaithfulness to God.

God’s plan often comes in layers like a sliced potato. He doesn’t show us the entire schema, just bits and pieces. Hosea’s wife didn’t stop with one promiscuous affair but continued until Hosea finally brought her home and confined her. My obedience to each stage of God’s unfolding plan demonstrates my determination to do what He wants me to do—even if I can’t see the end.

God’s plan can be painful, as it was for Hosea and for my back while I stood for an hour peeling. No spouse enjoys being the recipient of unfaithfulness. God often allowed his prophets to demonstrate their messages in graphic ways, and Hosea’s did, too. Hosea hurt. Through pain, we grow spiritually and are drawn closer to our Creator.  

And God’s plan will always entail change. Never can we stay where we are and go with God. The potato won’t become a hash brown casserole, French fries, or browned potatoes if it stays in its original state.

Regardless of the pain or the change required, determine to follow God’s plan for your life.

Father, give me the courage and faith I need to say “Yes” to your plan. 


If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Praising in All Seasons - Abigail Skelton

Praising in All Seasons
Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:1-2 NIV

There are countless books and self-help guides about what to do in periods of crisis. Even in the church, we hear far more sermons on grief and hardship than on joy and rejoicing. Praising in all seasons challenges the best of us. 

Yet, sometimes for me, in seasons of blessing and wonder, my focus on the Lord seems to drift. Life is good. Life is easy. Relying on God for everyday help is less of a necessity until something bad happens again. But what if I could rejoice like those in Scripture, who focused on God and whose prayers multiplied in the good and easy seasons?

Hannah longed for a child. Not just on occasion, but for years. God answered her prayers the way she wanted. And what was her response? She gave her greatest gift back to the Lord. And even as she fulfilled her vows, she rejoiced. 

Hannah wasn’t the only one in the Bible who remembered to praise God when things went right. Miriam, King David, Zechariah, Mary, and numerous others celebrated God’s goodness in seasons of blessing. If God is the giver of all good gifts, we should accompany everything we receive, large or small, with thanks.

Paul reminded the early church to “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). This command sounds simple, but in our own happiness, it’s easy to miss unless we take intentional time to dwell on our Savior’s generosity. Maybe this looks like taking a break from work and thanking God for the spring flowers outside the office window. Perhaps it’s thanking God at the end of yet another wild day for a family or for small children.

God doesn’t owe us anything, but he gives us so much. Thanking him—rejoicing over seasons of blessing—should come naturally. But even when it doesn’t, we can honor God by intentionally praising him—like those in Scripture—and by living a life of rejoicing.

Make a plan to help you praise God in all seasons. 


Abigail Skelton is from beautiful Southern Oregon, where she grew up with an avid love for Jesus, chocolate, and writing. She has lived in three countries while involved in missionary work and frequently travels and studies foreign languages. You can connect with Abigail on her website: https://abigailskelton.com.


I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.


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Monday, March 23, 2026

Refined by Sorrow - Martin Wiles

Refined by Sorrow
Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. Ecclesiastes 7:3 NLT

Never had I witnessed refined by sorrow in such a drastic manner.

When times of deep sorrow strike, many choose the road of bitterness toward God. “If God’s as good as you claim, why did …,” they ask. And I’ve wondered the same thing when traveling roads of sorrow. Not James. He and his wife rarely attended church. Only through the grapevine did I learn they were facing marital challenges.

Late one evening, I received a call about a wreck involving James’ wife and child. His wife and infant son had been in a wreck. The wife was banged up and in shock, but the child was dead.

Following the funeral and several days of intense grieving, James began attending church regularly. Actually, every time the doors opened. Soon, he walked the aisle, recommitted his life to Christ, and requested baptism. He continued to grow spiritually and, within a year of the accident, served as a deacon in the church. Sorrow had refined him.

What wise King Solomon says seems ludicrous. Who in their right mind would rather have sorrow than laughter? But his conclusion is accurate: sadness has a refining influence.

Periods of sorrow remind me I have little, if any, jurisdiction over most of what happens to me. In hindsight, I see how I could have changed the course of some of my travels, but most were outside my control.

Knowing God has a determinative and permissive will helps. Some things will happen because he determines they will, while others occur because he permits them—even though they aren’t in his perfect plan. Understanding this requires faith and our admitting that we can’t always understand God’s ways. They are higher than our ways.

But if we respond correctly, sorrow will refine our relationship with God by moving us closer to him. Knowing he’s in control will replace worry and anxiety. We’ll plunge deeply into his Word and run to him through prayer. Sorrow can also foster greater perseverance and patience. After all, we have a hope unbelievers don’t.

Don’t let the sorrow that comes from living in a sinful world depress you. God loves you and controls your life events. If you let him, he will refine you through sorrow.

Father, when times of sorrow encroach upon my life, help me trust you to use them as refining tools that will enable me to grow spiritually. 


I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.