All posts in " adversity "

Destructive disappointment or divine appointments

By Dave Henning / July 27, 2017

“Whenever there’s an opportunity for destructive disappointment, there’s also an opportunity for divine appointments.”- Susie Larson Susie Larson concludes Chapter 2 of Your Powerful Prayers as she discusses destructive disappointment. Ms. Larson defines destructive disappointment as ruminating on your losses/unfulfilled expectations in a way that: damages you causes you harm negatively impacts your relationships Most […]

How we define the word good

By Dave Henning / May 10, 2017

“One of the reasons we have a hard time believing that God’s grace is working for good in our lives is because of how we define the word good. We have our own ideas of how God should work for our good . . .”- Kyle Idleman Pastor Kyle Idleman concludes Chapter 10 of Grace […]

Through veins of suffering

By Dave Henning / December 13, 2016

“Love runs through us through veins of suffering.”- Ann Voskamp Ann Voskamp continues Chapter 13 of The Broken Way by reminding us all who love ultimately suffer. Most noteworthy, when God beckoned “you shall love your neighbor,” He knew we’d also keep suffering in keeping His commandment to love. Still, Jesus gave that command. Author […]

The grace to remain strong

By Dave Henning / September 25, 2016

“Resilience . . . the grace to remain strong after going through something that almost breaks you.”- Ron Luce “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”- Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) Ron Luce, president and founder of Teen Mania Ministries, wrote Resilience in response to a plane crash that took the lives of four […]

Godly grief

By Dave Henning / September 23, 2016

“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see that earnestness this godly grief has produced in you . . .”- 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 In Chapter 6 of Before Amen, Max Lucado observes that tattoo parlors need a sign over the entrance: Think before you […]

All things work together for good

By Dave Henning / September 16, 2016

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”- Romans 8:28 Max Lucado begins Chapter 9 (“All Things Work for Good”) of More to Your Story by observing that we’ve all asked questions about how adversity plays a part in […]

The proper time

By Dave Henning / August 13, 2016

“The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.”- Psalm 145:15 Wayne Stiles concludes Chapter 4 of Waiting on God by noting that when the apostle Paul penned, “Love is patient,” he literally wrote, “Love is being patient.” The original Greek word defines patience as a continual […]

Blessing hidden in the shadows

By Dave Henning / November 24, 2015

“There’s nothing life can throw at us that God can’t use to draw us closer to him.”- Kyle Idleman In Chapter 2 of The End of Me, Kyle Idleman observes that it’s human nature to do everything one can to stay away from suffering in the first place. But we take things one step further […]

Living the dream

By Dave Henning / November 19, 2015

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”- Matthew 5:4 “The end of me often comes when my dreams come to an end.”- Kyle Idleman Kyle Idleman begins Chapter 2 (“Mourn to Be Happy”) of The End of Me by remarking that toward the top of his list of least favorite things is […]

The seasons of our lives

By Dave Henning / November 5, 2015

“When we view our lives as a string of random days connected only by the calendar, it’s easy to overlook the active movement of God.”- Bill Hybels In Chapter 9 (“From Stuck to Moving On: Welcoming New Seasons in Your Life”) of Simplify, Bill Hybels notes the song “Turn, Turn, Turn” by The Byrds became […]

A vivid point of light

By Dave Henning / October 31, 2015

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”- Psalm 119:105 “A ‘life verse’ is a power clarifying tool when it comes to simplifying our lives.”- Bill Hybels In Chapter 8 (“From Drifting to Focused: Claiming God’s Call on Your Life”) of Simplify, Bill Hybels tells of the time he went […]

Decidophobia

By Dave Henning / August 22, 2015

“If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.”- James 1:5 (NRSV) In Chapter 5 (Door #1 or Door #2) of All the Places to Go, John Ortberg tackles the question of choosing the right door. For example, when facing prolonged […]