Wiregrass Church
What do we do when our circumstances are so challenging there’s no way forward and no way out? We have problems for which there seem to be no solutions. We have questions without answers. During times like these, we’re tempted to run or give up. We’re tempted to give in to jealousy, resentment, and anger . . . especially anger toward God. That’s because when life gets hard, it feels like God is absent, apathetic, or angry. But what if he isn’t? Is it possible to hang on to joy, hope, and patience in the meantime?
What do you do when there's nothing you can do?
There are problems you can solve, but there are some unsolvable problems. There are tensions that you can resolve, but there are some unresolvable tensions.
This is your new reality. This is your new normal.
In The Meantime
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- I'll never be happy again.
- Nothing good can come from this.
- There's no point in continuing.
The good news is this: If you're a Christian, the New Testament speaks to this directly.
The good news is this: If you're not a Christian, the New Testament speaks to this directly.
In The Meantime
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God is not absent, apathetic, or angry.
God's silence does not equate to his absence.
John 3:16 NIV
The reason I know that God is not absent, the reason I know that God is not apathetic, and the reason I know that God is not angry is He poured out His anger on His Son for you when He sent His Son to die on the cross.
John the Baptizer
Matthew 11:11 NIV
Matthew 4:12 NIV
Matthew 4:13 NIV
When you're hanging out in Machaerus and you're wondering where Jesus is, Jesus can still love you and Jesus can know exactly where you are, and Jesus can know your name and not love you any less and not be any less active in your life.
Matthew 11:6 NIV
"Blessed is the one who does not interpret my silence as absence."
Don't interpret God's silence as absence.
Jesus knew all about John. Your Heavenly Father knows all about you.
John 11:3 NIV
John 11:5-6 NIV
Don't confuse God's apparent absence for apathy.
Your unanswered prayer does not mean God is uninterested.
In The Meantime
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- I'll never be happy again.
- Nothing good can come from this.
- There's no point in continuing.
In The Meantime
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Joy - I'll never be happy again.
Hope - Nothing good can come from this.
Purpose - There's no point in continuing.
In The Meantime
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- I can be happy again.
- Something good can come from this.
- There's a purpose to this pain.
