• How do you handle disappointments, heartaches, calamities, abuses, tribulations of life?

John 16:21 NLT

It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world.

• To be a mother is a CALL TO SUFFER.

Luke 2:34-35 NLT

Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

Proverbs 10:1 NLT

A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.

#1) TRUST HIS WORD

John 14:1 NLT

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”

Jeremiah 17:7 NLT

“But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.

• To trust God is to Hear Him | Believe Him | Obey Him.
• We can trust God’s written word if we are submitted to Him.

Exodus 2:1-2 NLT

About this time, a man and woman from the tribe of Levi got married. The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw that he was a special baby and kept him hidden for three months.

• If God has spoken a word over your kids lives, you can trust that His word will come to pass in His time.

#2) TRUST HIS WAIT

Philippians 1:6 NLT

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

• God uses our suffering for His purpose.

Habakkuk 2:3 NLT

This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.

Psalm 27:14 NLT

Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

How should you wait on the Lord?

Romans 12:12 ESV

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

A) Rejoice In His Hope

Rejoice = chairō = calmly happy; be well; be glad; thrive

B) Be Patient In Your Suffering

Patient = hypomenō = endure; persevere; suffer; longsuffering; to bear bravely and calmly

C) Pray Fervently

Pray = proseuchē = pray earnestly; address God; prayer of worship; a place set apart or suited for the offering of prayer

#3) TRUST HIS WAY

Isaiah 55:9 ESV

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

• God knows what He is doing.
• God loves your children more than you.

1 Peter 5:10 NLT

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

In the suffering God will transform you by:

A) Restoring You

Restore = Repair, heal, perfect, complete

B) Sustaining You

Support = to make stable, set fast; make firm (one’s mind)

Deuteronomy 31:6 Voice

Be strong and brave, and don’t tremble in fear of them, because the Eternal your God is going with you. He’ll never fail you or abandon you!

C) Strengthening You God Will Strengthen You

Strengthen = confirm in spiritual knowledge & power.

Philippians 4:13 Voice

I can be content in any and every situation through the Anointed One who is my power and strength.

D) God Will Settle You

Settle = to lay a foundation; to make stable.

Matthew 7:25 ESV

And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

CONCLUSION

Romans 15:13 ESV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Philippians 4:4-7 ESV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

• May the joy of the Lord be your strength to endure the suffering, which will guard your heart and your mind Christ Jesus.