Our Resolute Hope Podcast

Job was blindsided, his world shattered in seconds.  Still, he embraced his suffering and blessed the name of the Lord.  He learned it’s possible to worship and praise God through tears.

Many believers see Satan as a vicious enemy, fiercely ravaging whomever he wishes.  But that’s not true.  He can’t do anything without God’s permission, and his power is completely limited by God’s divine purposes.

God’s people are not immune to suffering.  Sometimes it’s due to consequences, or to Father’s discipline.  But most often it’s to accomplish His divine purpose in our lives … to conform us to the image of Christ.

No matter what we experience, Father is right there, comforting and encouraging us with His very life.  He shares all our sorrows, collects all our tears.  No suffering is too small to escape His attention.

Father’s encouragement of Mary was crucial as she walked through unprecedented suffering.  She kept her focus on God and finally experienced what the angel first told her – she was blessed among women.

For Mary, the mother of Jesus, blessing was braided closely with suffering.  But through it, she came to see herself as her Father saw her.  And she grew to know Him as she never had before.

Joseph arrived in Egypt a completely different man.  Suffering had shaped him into a humble, compassionate servant and a protective, providing shepherd.

Joseph suffered greatly at the hands of his family.  But God worked through it, not only to safeguard the nation but also to strengthen Joseph’s faith in, and dependence on, Him.

Through his suffering, Peter transformed into a man who knew well how to shepherd and encourage believers who were enduring intense persecution for righteousness’ sake.

Our Lord called Peter when he was a diamond in the rough.  But suffering worked to grind and polish this apostle until he became a champion of grace.