Do you struggle with depression and sadness? Join Matt and Neal as they discuss how to navigate these seasons of darkness from a biblical perspective.
Show Notes
Dr. Robert Jones
How, God uses trials/hardships to show you his love and make you more like Jesus? The Seven E’s:
- God lovingly uses your troubles to enhance your relationship with him (Psalms; 2 Chron. 28:22 and 33:12). Christians in hardship tend to become more God-conscious and tend to turn to God.
- God lovingly uses your trouble to help you experience Christ’s sufferings (Phil 3:10; Matt 23:37; Luke 13:34–35; 19:41; John 1:10–11; 16:32; Acts 9:4–5; Romans 9:1–3; 10:1). Our sufferings are light compared to those of our Suffering Savior
- God lovingly uses your hardships to expose your remaining sin (Deut 8:1–3; John 15). God uses trials to boil away dross in us, including our blind-spot sins.
- God lovingly uses your troubles to engage you in the body of Christ (Rom 12:15; 1 Cor 12:14–26, esp. 12:26). Suffering can draw us closer to others, make us more dependent, etc.
- God lovingly uses your troubles to exhibit Christ’s work in you (Matt 5:13–16). Hardships give us an opportunity to reflect Jesus to others.
- God lovingly uses your troubles to equip you for wiser, more compassionate ministry (2 Cor 1:3–4). God comforts us in our hardships so we can comfort others.
- God lovingly uses your troubles to elevate your longing for Christ’s return (1 Peter 1:3–9, 13; Jas 1:12; 5:11; Rev). Earthly hardships create a proper dissatisfaction with this fallen world, and a longing for the new heaven and earth and for all the eternal blessings God promises.
