Latest / Northman Coaching / Can You Trust God While It Still Hurts? Acts 16:25
Transcript
- Gary: When life hurts and nothing changes, do you still believe God is worthy of your trust? Good morning. I am Gary Hults from North Man Coaching, and today's devotional comes from Acts chapter 16, verse 25. Paul and Silas have been beaten and thrown into prison. Their feet are secured in socks. Around midnight, they're praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners are listening. Their worship happens while they're still hurting before the earthquake. Before the doors open. What does your faith look like while you are still waiting? It's easy to express gratitude when the relationship is healthy and the bills are paid, and your prayers seem to be answered. But what happens when you're grieving, when the marriage ends, when you've done everything that you know to do and still do not have an answer? You may feel angry, exhausted, or even afraid. You can bring those feelings to God honestly. Prayer doesn't require you to pretend that you are okay. Paul and Silas show us that pain and worship can exist in the same moment. Here's a belief that is worth examining. If God cared about me, I wouldn't be going through this. Does that conclusion leave room for the faithful people in scriptures who suffered, including Jesus Himself? Hardship can shake your understanding of God. Let it move you toward an honest conversation with Him. Remember, the way you look on the outside is a direct reflection of what is happening on the inside. Consider how your struggle is coming out in your actions. Are you asking for support? Are you speaking honestly? Are you taking your pain out on people who you love? And that love you as well. Remember, the other prisoners were listening. People around you can hear how you respond. Your children don't need a father who never struggles. They need to see a man who can struggle, seek help, and keep choosing his next faithful step. Today, take a moment to pray before your circumstances improve. Tell God what hurts. Ask for strength. Name one thing that you are grateful for. This passage gives us a picture of faith in suffering. It doesn't give you a timetable for when our circumstances will change. So let's pray. Father, meet us in the place where we feel weary and afraid. Help us bring you our pain honestly. Give us strength for today. People who will walk beside us and faith to keep turning toward you. In Jesus' name. Amen. If this has challenged you, hit like, share, and share with someone who needs to hear it and subscribe for more daily devotionals. Do all the things, but most important of all, put this message into practice. And if you are ready to grow alongside men who will challenge you to live the values that you claim, then join the North Man Brotherhood at Northman Coaching.com. We grow brick by brick, shoulder to shoulder. I will see you guys next time.