Topic > When Life Hurts
From Grief to Joy
Kelly’s pregnancy brought complications, and doctors were concerned. During her long labor, they decided to whisk her away for a cesarean section. But despite the ordeal, Kelly quickly forgot her pain when she held her newborn son. Joy had replaced anguish.
Scripture affirms this truth: “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world” (John 16:21). Jesus used this illustration with His disciples to emphasize that though they would grieve because He would be leaving soon,…
How can a song of lament also be a song of hope?
Have you ever heard a song that perfectly describes how you feel? Songs can powerfully communicate emotions that resonate with our souls! And today on Discover the Word, we find that the Psalms contain all kinds of songs including songs of lament. But as we’ll see, “Songs of Lament” are also “Songs of Hope.” Finish […]
Trusting in God’s perfect love for us
When things get tough, who ya gonna call? Well, it’s true that trials and troubles truly reveal where we put our trust! Today on Discover the Word, we discuss the one thing we can always trust: God’s perfect love. This conversation is for anyone struggling to trust God more, which would be all of us! […]
Discover how God faithfully responds to our requests
Today on Discover the Word, the group continues their series this week about Psalm 13 titled, “A Song of Lament and Hope.” It’s all about how lament and hope are not opposites, and how God faithfully responds to our requests, especially when we need Him most! It’s an encouraging truth for anyone and everyone, so be […]
Discover how God handles our complaints
“Your call is very important to us, please stay on the line.” Don’t you hate hearing that automated response? Do you believe it when you hear it? It can actually make you feel that your concerns will never be heard. Well, today on Discover the Word, we discuss how God handles our complaints and what’s […]
Crying out to God can give us hope, peace, and a renewed life
Today on Discover the Word, the group goes back to the Psalms for this week’s series of conversations! It’s a Psalm with seemingly contradictory themes. How can a “Song of Lament” also be a “Song of Hope”? Listen as the team explores how our cries to God can deliver hope, peace, and renewed life. Be […]
If Only . . .
As we exited the parking lot, my husband slowed the car to wait for a young woman riding her bike. When Tom nodded to indicate she could go first, she smiled, waved, and rode on. Moments later, the driver from a parked SUV threw his door open, knocking the young bicyclist to the pavement. Her legs bloodied, she cried as she examined her bent-up bike.
Later, we reflected on the accident: If only we had made her wait . . . If only the driver had looked before opening his door. If only . . . Difficulties catch us up in…
Training for Life
My training for the long-distance race was going badly, and the latest run was particularly disappointing. I walked half the time and even had to sit down at one point. It felt like I had failed a mini-test.
Then I remembered that this was the whole point of training. It was not a test to pass, nor was there a grade I had to achieve. Rather, it was something I simply had to go through, again and again, to improve my endurance.
Perhaps you feel badly about a trial you are facing. God allows us to undergo these times of testing to…
Effective strategy for victory
Have you ever “let your emotions get the better of you”? Well, temptation can often find an emotional entry point in our life that makes it difficult to resist. Today on Discover the Word, we find that Jesus felt the lure of temptation too, but employed an effective strategy for victory. It’s another encouraging discussion about […]
Nozomi Hope
In 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake and a resulting tsunami took nearly 19,000 lives and destroyed 230,000 homes in the region northeast of Tokyo. In its aftermath, The Nozomi Project, named for the Japanese word for “hope,” was born to provide sustainable income, community, dignity, and hope in a God who provides.
Nozomi women sift through the rubble of homes and furnishings to discover broken china shards that they sand and insert in fittings to form jewelry. The jewelry is sold around the world, providing a livelihood for the women while sharing symbols of their faith in Christ.
In New Testament times,…
Leah’s happy ending
Everyone loves a happy ending. And today on Discover the Word, the team will conclude the series titled, “Leah—Unloved but Deeply Loved” by finally getting to the “greatly loved” part. Tune in to hear how a woman who was unloved by her family and husband wound up finding true love. It’s a great end to a […]
Looking for love in all the “right” places
How often do we find ourselves “looking for love in all the wrong places”? Well, today on Discover the Word, the team returns to the story of Leah. You’re invited to discover the amazing way in which giving God control of our lives actually leads to finding love in the right places. “Leah—Unloved but Deeply […]
God’s “Most Wanted” list
We all know the FBI has a “most wanted” list, but did you know that God does too? And you’re on it! Today on Discover the Word, the team finds that what God looks for in people is very different from what you or I might look for. It’s another encouraging discussion from the life of […]
Out of the Deep
I scanned the water intently, on alert for signs of trouble. During my six-hour shifts as a lifeguard, I watched from the side of the pool to ensure the safety of those swimming. Leaving my post, or even becoming lax in my attentiveness, could have grave consequences for those in the pool. If a swimmer was in danger of drowning due to injury or lack of skill, it was my responsibility to pluck them from the water and return them to safety on the pool deck.
After experiencing God’s aid in battle against the Philistines (2 Sam. 21:15–22), David likens his…
I Was Blind, But Now I See
It was six years ago that I lost the vision in my left eye. Today, after much struggle, I can finally see God’s purpose in it.
