In Your Hardest Times, Trust God’s Purpose

[In Your Hardest Times, Trust God’s Purpose](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) Current Teaching Series [How to Get Through What You're Going Through](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) [Listen to Today's Broadcast](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) [In Your Hardest Times, Trust God’s Purpose](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) By Rick Warren — March 9, 2020 [Facebook](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) [Twitter](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) [Pinterest](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) [Email](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) [Devotional image from Rick Warren](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) “This is the reason why we never collapse . . . These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17 Phillips) “Why me?” If you’ve never asked that question, just wait. When life becomes really hard, most people will eventually ask, “Why me?” But this is the wrong question to ask during your dark days. Instead, try asking, “God, what’s your purpose in this?” The Bible says in 1 Peter 1:6-7, “You are temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials and temptations. This is no accident—it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold” (Phillips). Nothing comes into your life accidentally. God does not cause evil. But he can bring good from every single thing, even from evil. Trials reveal your character, maturity, security, values, and faith. One of the major figures in the Bible is the apostle Paul. He devoted his entire life to serving God. But, in many ways, Paul’s life was worse than you can imagine. He was stoned, shipwrecked, beaten, left for dead, imprisoned, whipped, and robbed. But he was never bitter. Instead of asking, “Why me?” he looked for and trusted God’s purpose. He learned to trust God in his problems, even when he didn’t understand. What is the secret to his persistence? “This is the reason why we never collapse . . . These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17 Phillips). You can hold on to hope because God has a purpose and even a reward that exceeds your pain. When Jesus died on the cross, his followers thought it was a senseless tragedy, a total mistake. But what they couldn’t see was God still on his throne, carrying out a bigger purpose. After Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared to the disciples and said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21 NIV). Just moments before, they could see no reason for their pain. But here was Jesus, telling them that God was giving them a new assignment that was part of a grand purpose. God’s purpose for your life is always greater than your problems. Trust him. He loves to turn crucifixions into resurrections. He specializes in hopeless situations. [PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) Talk About It - During what circumstances in your life have you asked, “Why me?” - When have you seen God bring good out of very difficult circumstances? - In what part of your life today do you need to start asking, “God, what’s your purpose?” [Facebook](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) [Twitter](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) [Pinterest](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) [Email](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) 6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r [Get Journey Toward Hope: A Guided Experience when you give a gift to support Daily Hope](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) Regardless of your circumstances, you can hold tightly to the hope we find in Christ. The Apostle Paul promises, “This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5 HCSB). Learn to live in bold, biblical hope every day with our full-color resource, Journey Toward Hope: A Guided Experience. This interactive resource is filled with Scripture, practical guidance, prayers, pages to journal, and personal stories to help move you forward in your journey toward hope. You’ll learn and meditate on these powerful truths . . . • You are loved • You have a purpose • You belong • You have a choice • You are needed [LEARN MORE](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) 6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r [Complete Audio Series (Purchase)](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) Includes 8 full-length messages from Pastor Rick's series How to Get Through What You're Going Through. [LEARN MORE](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) 6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r [Series Summary](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) Message 1: How We're Getting Through Message 2: When Your World Collapses Message 3: Getting Through Life's Losses Message 4: Struggle: When Life Makes No Sense Message 5: Surrender: The Path to Peace Message 6: Never Waste a Pain Message 7: Transformed by Trouble Message 8: Finding Treasure in Darkness by Kay Warren [PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) Pastor Rick Warren [Facebook](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r)[Twitter](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) [Instagram](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) [Linkedin](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) Enjoy today's devotional? Listen to Pastor Rick’s daily audio teaching at [PastorRick.com](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) Did someone forward this devotional to you? [Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional.](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) As the founding pastor of Saddleback Church with his wife Kay, Dr. Rick Warren leads a 30,000-member congregation in California with campuses in major cities around the world. As an author, his book [The Purpose Driven Life](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r) is one of the best-selling nonfiction books in publishing history. It has been translated into 74 languages and sold more than 50 million copies in all formats. His book The Purpose Driven Church was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the century. Rick also founded The PEACE Plan to address five global issues—spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy—through the power of ordinary people in the local church. You can listen to Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope, his daily 25-minute audio teaching, and sign up for his free daily devotionals at [PastorRick.com](6sj5-1bNp:m:1:2618166767:8975DE4C6F23F12004372BD9EDFFFCCD:r). © 2020 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe by clicking the link below. This message was intended for: {EMAIL} You were added to the system December 23, 2016. For more information [click here](. [Unsubscribe](