UNPACK this...Hope in the Midst of Troubling TimesSample

Unexpected Injuries  

Football fans love seeing big hits and watching defenses chase down a runner in this high-impact sport. Unfortunately, such extreme physical play often results in major injuries to players.

When players break their back or tear an Achilles, they not only have to undergo recovery, rehab, and healing, but have to wrestle with frustration, pain, and uncertainty as they wait to get back out on the field. 

When players know they can’t help out their teams for the foreseeable future because of something they weren’t planning on happening, they become greatly disappointed. Due to the injuries they suffer, their plans change and they're forced to endure significant setbacks in their careers.

These athletes are not that different from us. We can all relate to physical and emotional pain, and especially during this time, many of us are dealing with trials such as sickness, job loss, financial struggles, and relationship issues.

When we experience obstacles that change our plans and prevent us from moving forward as fast as we’d like, we are forced to deal with unanticipated hurt, discouragement, and anxiety.

So how do we respond to these unfortunate change of events? The Bible shares countless stories about struggle, persecution, and weakness while revealing God’s goodness, power, and hope through it all.

Paul and Timothy tell us about one such story in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 when they faced trouble while traveling to the province of Asia. In reading this passage today and facing a myriad of our own troubles, let’s “stop relying on ourselves and learn to rely only on God.” 

“Unexpected injuries” will happen to all of us at some point in time, but “when we place our confidence in Him, He will continue to rescue us.” Let’s be committed to putting our hope in the One we can always rely on.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You know the pain and uncertainty I’m dealing with today, and I trust that You will ultimately rescue me. I know that you will use my hurt to strengthen my faith in You and develop my character. Help me to fully rely on You and place my hope in You. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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