Faith Over Fear
Faith for Difficult Times
Pastor Ben Johnson - September 28, 2025
Psalm 46:1-2 (NLT) - God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So, we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Faith for hard seasons isn’t about AVOIDING pain or FORCING things to go our way. It’s about trusting God enough to stay FAITHFUL, seek His WISDOM, and HONOR Him in how we respond.
The Challenge: Developed DISCIPLINE deepens DISCIPLESHIP.
Hebrews 12:5-11 (NLT) - And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?
For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
Perspective For When It’s Painful
1. Don’t let your hardship go UNUSED.
Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) - We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
2. Stay focused on TODAY.
Matthew 6:34 (NLT) - “So, don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Accepting The Challenge
EXPECT DISCOMFORT — Don’t be surprised when discipline and hard work feel uncomfortable, they’re part of GROWTH.
GAIN a BIGGER picture — Strive to understand that today’s CHALLENGES create tomorrow’s CHANGE.
START small, START now — Focus on FAITHFULNESS; being faithful with today will develop FRUITFULNESS tomorrow.
Psalm 46:1 (NLT) — God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.