Dr. Stanley shares the apostle Paul’s secret to contentment in every situation—including the most troublesome ones. We all are going to experience hardships sometimes. Learn how the grace of God can sustain you in the midst of them.
Sermon Outline
One of the most challenging things about the Christian life is unanswered or “denied” prayer requests. If you’ve ever found yourself calling out in despair, today’s message is for you. Listen as Dr. Stanley explores Paul’s experience with God’s “no” and how we, too, can find His purpose in our pain.
Key Passage: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
How do you respond to affliction and suffering? What about when you’ve prayed and obeyed and trusted, but God doesn’t change your circumstances?
► “Where is the grace of God when things don’t change?”
When God permits our suffering to continue, we may …
Rebel.
Endure.
Complain.
Respond as Paul did, with joyful understanding of God’s purpose.
In times of trouble, God’s grace is ...
His answer to our pain and affliction (2 Cor. 12:9).
God does not guarantee a change to painful circumstances.
His purpose is far greater than our comfort.
His purpose may require that the trial remain, but His grace allows us to rise above it.
His method of demonstrating His love and power.
Paul learned to be content in weakness because God’s power was perfected in him (vv. 9-10).
God at times allows situations with no satisfactory answers—things we must respond to in faith≥÷.
His purpose for our pain determines how long it will persist.
His purpose is always good, because a holy, compassionate, righteous God treats His children lovingly.
► “God, if You allow this in my life, You’ve got a purpose—and it’s going to be good.”
His provision for our contentment.
No pain or heartache is greater than the provision of God’s grace to endure it (v. 10).
When we trust the Spirit who indwells us, we experience contentment in our trials.
What determines whether God changes our circumstances is His purpose for our life, not …
The intensity of our faith.
How obedient we are.
How long or intensely we pray.
Whether or not we love God or are sincere.
After Watching
Specifically name one difficulty in your life that hasn’t changed despite prayer. How has God sustained you through it so far, even though He hasn’t removed it?
Write down one circumstance you’re waiting for God to change. Beneath it, write, “What if the answer is grace to stand firm, not removal of the problem?” Spend time in prayer this week, asking God to reveal how to reframe your understanding of the situation.
