God Can Use Dark Times for Good

[God Can Use Dark Times for Good](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r) Current Teaching Series [A Faith That Works When Life Doesn't: The James Series](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r) [Listen to Today's Broadcast](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r) [God Can Use Dark Times for Good](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r) By Rick Warren — June 25, 2020 [Facebook](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r) [Twitter](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r) [Pinterest](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r) [Email](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r) [Devotional image from Rick Warren](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r) “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT) None of us are exempt from suffering, loneliness, discouragement, or unjust criticism. Why? Because those are things Jesus experienced, and we need to experience them too for God to develop the character of Christ in us. Does this mean God causes tragedies? No. God is good, and he will not cause evil or do evil. But God can use dark and stressful times like these for good. He can use our current troubles to teach us to trust him, to show us how to help others, and to draw us closer to other believers. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed” (NLT). So, what should you do when you’re going through difficult times? First, refuse to be discouraged. Then, remember God is with you. Finally, rely on God’s protection and guidance. God’s light shines even in the darkest shadows. [PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r) Talk About It - How are you seeing God use the pandemic and the focus on social injustice for good? - When have you seen God bring good out of a bad situation because you trusted and relied on him? - What good would you like to see come out of these difficult times? Tell God what’s on your mind. 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[LEARN MORE](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r) J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r [Series Summary](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r) Message 1: Real Faith Versus Fake Faith Message 2: A Faith That Loves My Neighbor as Myself Message 3: A Faith That Shows Respect to Everyone Message 4: A Faith That Leads to Emotional Health Message 5: A Faith That Stays Calm in a Crisis Message 6: A Faith That Anchors Me in a Storm Message 7: A Faith That Walks Through the Valley of the Virus Message 8: A Faith That Plants Seeds of Peace Message 9: A Faith That Isn't Troubled by Troubles Message 10: A Faith That Makes Tough Choices Easier Message 11: A Faith That Counters My Bad Habits [PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r) Pastor Rick Warren [Facebook](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r)[Twitter](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r) [Instagram](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r) [Linkedin](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r) Enjoy today's devotional? 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Rick also founded [The PEACE Plan](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984:r) 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](J-pzLKbYN:m:1:2618166767:42E6251D7B511CA7C527EA55E410F984: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](