When the Answer Feels Like the Trial
Our Sunday Table
When the Answer Feels Like the Trial
This week’s scripture: Acts 20:22-24.
Hello again, and welcome to Our Sunday Table, where we come hungry for God’s Word and leave with our hearts full. There’s always room for one more, and today that seat belongs to you.
This past Sunday, we had quite the wrestle during Bible study. And when I say we wrestled, I mean we had to sit with the scriptures, ask difficult questions, and challenge some of our understanding. We were looking at Paul’s journey to Jerusalem. He felt led by the Spirit, yet others urged him not to go. It made us ask: what do you do when you believe God is leading one way, and loved ones pull another? Sometimes, those who love us most want to shield us from suffering. Think of Peter, trying to turn Jesus away from the cross. Love was speaking, but not in step with God’s mission. That reminded us to test the fruit of the advice we get and the direction we sense. Difficulty alone doesn’t mean it’s not God.
And then we asked ourselves: how many times have we prayed, ‘Lord, increase my patience,’ and then found ourselves surrounded by people who tested every ounce of it? How often have we asked for stronger faith and then walked through something that required trusting without seeing? What if some of the things we keep asking God to remove are the very tools He’s using to form what we prayed for?
That doesn’t mean every hard thing is yours to carry. Sometimes wisdom means changing course. But difficulty alone isn’t proof you’ve missed God. Some warnings are to prepare us, others to redirect us. Either way, we need discernment.
So this week, maybe sit with the Lord and ask, is there anything I’ve been asking you to remove that you want to use to grow me? And if so, give me the grace to cooperate. And if it’s time to turn, give me the courage to obey.
Amen.
Before you go.If you’re a woman reading this and your heart is longing for community, women who will build you up, encourage you, and guide you as you grow, you don’t have to walk this out alone. Come sit with us in Warriors of Grace, our women’s ministry, where women are forged to become disciples of Christ. We would love to have you. And if you’re a brother who has been reading along, you are welcome at this table, truly. This space is a women’s ministry, but we would be glad to point you toward Pilot Your Faith Ministry, a men’s ministry we recommend, where you can be encouraged and built up the same way. Just reach out and ask.