July 15, 2025 • 34 mins
Send Questions or comments here! We'll respond back in future episodes.
What happens when life threatens everything you love?
I start out this week's episode with my wife, Michelle's, medical journey - from severe migraines to a botched hysterectomy that nearly cost her a kidney. Through the darkest moments, our mantra became "not today, Satan," as we fought to hold tight to our faith while medical disasters compounded. This raw testimony reveals how personal crisis becomes either the breaking point or the refining fire for our deepest convictions.
Faith that remains untested is faith that remains unproven. The episode explores how Daniel from the Bible knowingly embraced tests rather than avoiding them - requesting a ten-day vegetable diet trial that would eventually elevate him in Nebuchadnezzar's court. This pattern appears throughout Scripture, where the number ten consistently represents the testing of faithfulness. When we face our cultural Babylon, do we shrink back or step forward?
A modern story from a young Christian named Chet working in Manhattan's cutthroat media industry demonstrates this principle brilliantly. When publicly humiliated for his faith by his team leader, Chet made the countercultural choice to respond with forgiveness rather than retaliation. "I've never had someone say that to me," his stunned colleague later admitted. "You actually live what you say you believe." This powerful moment opened doors for conversations that mockery never could.
The etymology of courage - from "cor" meaning heart - reveals why worship becomes our lifeline in crisis. When everything feels overwhelming, time spent in God's presence realigns our perspective and furnishes supernatural strength. As Daniel explains, "The longer you devote to Jesus, the less time you will waste being daunted by the views of others or fretting about your dilemmas."
Culture wants to claim you through tests and trials, but you don't have to surrender. Stand firm, knowing you have all you need to face whatever challenges come your way - the unshakable courage of the Lord himself.
Ready to strengthen your faith for the inevitable tests? Listen now and discover how trials become the proving ground for unshakable faith.
Daniel Dilemma - CH
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Daniel Moore (00:06):
Charles Stanley once said Every test, every
trial, every heartache.
That's been significant.
I can turn it over and see howGod has turned it into good, no
matter what.
This week, on Connecting theGap, we're continuing our series
on Unshaken, holding fast in aculture of compromise.
This week we're in episode fourof that series.
(00:29):
We'll be back to continue that.
The Gap this is a podcast aboutmarriage, bible and book studies
(01:05):
, and we interview peopleoccasionally that have a story.
I'm Daniel Moore, your host.
Thank you for joining us thisweek.
If you're not familiar with ourshow, check out our website at
wwwconnectingthegapnet.
All of our platforms are thereYouTube and Rumble links.
We're also on the Christianpodcasting app, edify.
You can also visit us on social, on Facebook X and Instagram at
(01:32):
ctgaponline.
If you're a fan of our show,please subscribe.
Feel free to leave a comment onour platforms, give us a thumbs
up or a five-star review onApple Podcasts, and we'd be
grateful to you for doing that.
Well, as I said here in theintro, we are in episode four of
our extended series on Unshaken.
Hope you've enjoyed the episode.
So far We've got a ways to go,but this week we're going to be
doing episode four of thatextended series this week.
(01:56):
The test to claim me.
When I married my wife,michelle, we were still young,
she already had two boys and Ihad a girl.
In the grand scope of things,everything looked like we were
(02:19):
healthy.
Truth be known, michelle oftenfought migraines.
She would put the Excedrinsdown like candy at times and it
would still seem to not phasethem.
The doctors were looking intoit to see what could be done.
In the process of the teststhat were run, it was determined
that she had a major cyst onher ovaries which were causing
(02:40):
most of the acute pain in herbody.
I always remember feeling sorryfor her because she would be in
so much pain sometimes and themigraines would cause her to
have complete blackouts and shewould be immobile for some time
in the darkness of our bedroomuntil they would subside and she
could function again.
After many consultations andattempts to try different
(03:02):
medications, the doctor decidedsome more invasive intervention
was needed.
They eventually decided thatthe best route to take was a
complete hysterectomy.
They bypassed the possibilityof a partial because they didn't
think the problem would becompletely solved.
The surgery was set up andcompleted.
Michelle was in the recoverystage.
(03:24):
The surgery was set up andcompleted.
Michelle was in the recoverystage.
As she was healing, sheeventually began to have acute
pains in her side and back.
The pain finally got so badthat we decided to have some
deeper tests run to see whatneeded to be done to resolve the
issue.
Something inside of her wasn'tright.
They sent her in to haveseveral tests run to see what
(03:45):
the issue was.
What they found wouldcompletely rock our world at the
time.
As they were running the test,they found that her ureter had
been cut when they did thehysterectomy.
The reason this was possiblewas because they did the
hysterectomy robotically to beas invasive as possible.
(04:07):
Some time had passed alreadysince the procedure had been
done and, to our dismay, theyfound that the kidney was slowly
shutting down.
We were in a race for time tosave her kidney.
The scheduling was a little bitof a mess as we needed to get
her in quickly to have anychance of saving it.
They rushed her in and put in astent.
The ureter at that time hadstarted to heal but was closing
(04:29):
off from the scar tissue.
The stent relieved the pressurein the kidney enough to give
her some relief from the pain,and the healing process
continued.
The time finally came to removethe stent, so after a quick
outpatient procedure it wasremoved.
We moved on thinking thateverything was resolved.
(04:49):
Then she started hurting again.
We got another appointment setup and went to have it checked.
The ureter had closed overagain and the kidney was in
about as bad of shape as it hadever been.
The stent had been taken outtoo quickly.
They rushed her in to try toinsert a new stent and after
(05:12):
some time in the waiting roomthey came out to inform me that
it closed over too much and theycouldn't get it back in place.
My worst fears set in.
What were we going to do now?
How was I going to tellMichelle that they couldn't get
it fixed?
When she came out to the carwith me and was released, I
(05:33):
asked the doctor what the nextstep was.
The answer he gave me was evenmore disturbing.
They couldn't perform thenecessary procedure locally.
We would have to go to aspecialist in Springfield,
missouri, or KU Medical Centerin Kansas City.
We chose KU as it was a muchbetter option.
But then there was anotherproblem.
There were only a couple ofspecialists there that performed
(05:56):
those kind of procedures anddue to the nature of the medical
center.
The doctors had to look overyour case and agree to take you
on as a patient.
Of course, the first doctorturned her down.
By this time I had sat andwatched my wife shed many tears
of pain.
There was also some anxiety anda little fear of the unknown in
(06:16):
there as well.
If this didn't get fixed, shewas going to lose that kidney.
To make a long story short, adoctor finally did take her case
and he even stayed late onThanksgiving holiday to do her
surgery before he left for hisvacation.
We were so thankful for hiscare and willingness to help.
Michelle left the medicalcenter with stage 4 kidney
(06:40):
disease.
I am happy to say that todayshe now only has stage 2 kidney
disease, which is considered apretty standard level for most
adults.
God has worked a miracle in herbody to this day Now.
I'm not one that thinks thereare demons hiding behind every
rock, but it is easy to tellwhen Satan is messing with you
(07:02):
sometimes and trying to causeproblems.
Michelle and I had resolved ourmarriage differences by this
point and Satan didn't like that.
Our mantra through the wholething was not today, satan, we
leaned on God and he deliveredus in the last hour.
(07:22):
It's time like these in 1Corinthians 15, therefore, my
(07:46):
dear brothers and sisters, standfirm, let nothing move.
You Always give yourselvesfully to the work of the Lord,
because you know that your laborin the Lord is not in vain.
While these verses are true, weshouldn't fret about our
perishable bodies, because thereis a resurrection.
I still didn't want Michelle todie.
I didn't want to watch hersuffer with such a debilitating
(08:09):
disease that could very likelyclaim her life prematurely.
Then there is verse 58, whichencourages us to stand firm in
our faith so that nothing canshake us, to give ourselves
fully to the work of the Lord.
My uneasy feeling during thattime persisted for a while, but
I had to make a choice.
Eventually, I decided toreaffirm my commitment to Jesus
(08:32):
to serve Him no matter what,even in the unbearable event of
losing my precious wife.
The timing of Michelle's ailmentand subsequent recovery could
have been coincidental.
The timing of Michelle'sailment and subsequent recovery
could have been coincidental,but in this case, hindsight is
20-20.
The entire incident clearlytested our faith.
(08:55):
God allowed it to mature ourfaith and increase our trust and
joy in Him.
The challenges that weencounter in life are not mere
coincidences or happenstance.
Rather, they serve as chancesfor us to deepen our faith and
personal growth in God.
God uses these trials to testour strength and prepare us for
what lies ahead.
(09:16):
Recognizing the significance ofthese trials, regardless of
their duration, and learning howto effectively navigate them
can be transformative.
Knowing our identity iscritical.
Setting our core convictions istoo, but unfailingly, at some
point we will all be tested.
(09:38):
As discussed in Episode 2,establishing our fundamental
beliefs is crucial formaintaining a resilient and
unwavering faith.
However, having strongconvictions alone will not
shield us from the trials thatwill challenge them.
Just as a chain is only assturdy as its weakest link, the
(09:58):
strength of our faith depends onthe steadfastness of our
beliefs in times of adversity.
It takes bravery to confrontthe adversary and hold firm, so
we must be certain of thefoundation on which our faith
stands.
Convictions reflect thedecisions we make prior to
facing hardships, while faithdemonstrates our capacity to act
(10:19):
on those convictions.
When tested, daniel knew what itmeant for his faith to be
tested repeatedly.
In fact, he even asked hisBabylonian captors to put him to
the test, and here's how ithappened.
In Daniel 1, verses 11-14,.
Daniel then said to the guardwhom the chief official had
(10:39):
appointed over Daniel, hananiah,meshiel and Azariah Please test
your servants for ten days.
Give us nothing but vegetablesto eat and water to drink.
Then compare our appearancewith that of the young men who
eat the royal food and treatyour servants in accordance with
what you see.
So he agreed to this and testedthem for ten days.
(11:00):
Daniel asked Ashpenaz to testhim and his Hebrew friends for
ten days.
Well, why ten?
Well, throughout Scripture, thenumber ten represents the
testing of faithfulness obeyingthe Ten Commandments in Exodus
20,.
Giving a test to the Lord inDeuteronomy 14.22 and Malachi
3.10,.
(11:21):
Praying for ten days in theupper room after Jesus ascended
in Acts 13,.
Enduring ten days ofpersecution in Smyrna in
Revelation 2.10.
Daniel knew that his faithwould be put to the test and he
embraced the challenge Ratherthan trying to avoid the
discomfort of being tested.
Daniel saw this conflict withculture as an opportunity.
(11:44):
Our faith will always bechallenged when faced with
cultural changes.
Satan employs trials to weakenus and lead us astray from our
beliefs.
He seeks to hinder our progressand question our commitment.
Paul experienced this andexplained we wanted to come to
you.
Certainly, I, paul did againand again, but Satan blocked our
(12:10):
way.
That's 1 Thessalonians 2.18.
The Greek term used for blockedhere means to cut a ditch or
make a detour.
When we are following God'splan for us, we directly oppose
Satan's intentions andstrategies.
Consequently, the enemy triesto obstruct our path and
(12:30):
persuade us to surrender,diverting us from our course, us
from our course.
Ultimately, his aim is to makeus serve him.
When our truth is put to thetest, we must decide whom we
will serve.
This story was once shared withme by a man named Chet.
One of the most definingchallenges to my faith came
(12:51):
during my summer internship inNew York City.
Let me start by saying thatliving in the city as a young
Christian was a whole differentworld compared to the quiet
suburb I grew up in.
The fast-paced culture, theoverwhelming distractions and
the constant push to blend inwith the crowd.
It all tested my convictions ina way I hadn't expected.
Chet continued I landed acompetitive marketing internship
(13:15):
at a trendy media firm inManhattan.
Chet continued I landed acompetitive marketing internship
at a trendy media firm inManhattan.
The job was exciting, the teamwas sharp and the environment
was intense.
People there lived for thehustle, late nights, loud bars,
casual hookups and a steady flowof just one more drink seemed
to be the rhythm of everyone'slife.
(13:35):
It was like stepping intoanother universe where faith
didn't even seem to fit.
From day one, chet said, Iquietly committed to stay
grounded.
I kept a small devotional in mybackpack and made time to read
it during lunch breaks at thelittle park down the block.
I didn't make a big deal aboutit, but people noticed,
(13:57):
especially my team lead, brandon.
He was young, charismatic andalways had something sarcastic
to say about religion.
One afternoon he spotted mereading and smirked Still
reading your fairy tales?
Huh, he said loud enough forthe team to hear.
I looked up and replied calmlyyeah, I read this every day.
(14:17):
It keeps me grounded.
Brandon chuckled and rolled hiseyes.
Come on, man, you're smart.
You really believe that stuff?
All of it I really do.
Chet said, trying to smilewithout sounding defensive.
Brandon leaned in his voice,dropping just a bit Even when
(14:37):
life kicks your teeth in, youstill believe in this God of
yours.
Then?
Yes, chet said more firmly,especially then.
The conversation ended there,but I could tell it stuck with
him.
Over the next few weeks Brandonfound new ways to poke fun
Mocking prayer, quotingscripture out of context, joking
(14:59):
that I wouldn't last a monthwithout breaking down and
joining the quote-unquote realworld.
Then one day it got personal.
Brandon called me into aconference room under the guise
of helping with a campaign.
But as soon as I sat down hetossed a folder on the table.
But as soon as I sat down, hetossed a folder on the table.
Inside was a mock proposal hehad made using my name for a
(15:21):
satirical, faith-based adcampaign.
It was filled with crude jokesabout Christianity and portrayed
me as a naive preacher boy.
Everyone else had seen italready.
Chet's stomach dropped.
He was humiliated.
What do you think?
Brandon asked with a grin.
Too close to home, chet paused,fighting the urge to lash out.
(15:45):
His heart was pounding.
Every instinct wanted to defendhimself, to snap back, to walk
out and never come back.
But then, quietly, chet said, Ifelt a different response rise
up inside of me.
I looked Brandon in the eye andsaid I forgive you.
He blinked.
What?
(16:06):
I forgive you, it hurt, it'snot funny, but I forgive you.
The room went still.
Something in Brandon'sexpression shifted.
He didn't say a word, he juststared at me, then slowly nodded
and walked out.
(16:26):
The next day he pulled me aside,I've never had someone say that
to me.
He admitted you actually livewhat you say you believe.
That's rare.
Can I ask you something?
Why?
Jesus that day began a seriesof honest conversations over
coffee and lunch breaks notdebates, just talks.
(16:48):
Brandon never did become aChristian during that internship
, but he listened and, more thanthat, he respected the faith
that he once mocked.
All because in that moment Ichose not to fight back but to
live what I claim to believe.
Chet said.
I tell you this story notbecause I'm such a strong
believer who faced such terriblepersecution.
(17:09):
This little incident is nothingcompared to the persecution so
many Christians around the worldface from their families, their
communities, their leaders andtheir governments.
I still think about Brandon andpray for him, and I still
remember what that humiliationfelt like for the rest of that
week.
But there has never been amoment in my life that forced me
(17:32):
to choose whether or not tofollow my faith the way that one
did, whether or not to followmy faith the way that one did.
Jesus said we cannot serve twomasters.
Anyone who chooses to be afriend of the world becomes an
enemy of God.
That's James, chapter 4, verse4.
When culture shifts, you willbe tested, but never give in to
(18:08):
the pressure, because it willmake you stronger.
God will always use the test inour lives to make our faith
stronger and to reveal His gloryto those around us.
Just look at what happened nextwith Daniel and his friends.
At the end of the 10 days, theylooked healthier and better
nourished than any of the youngmen who ate the royal food.
So the guard took away theirchoice food and the wine they
(18:29):
were to drink and gave themvegetables instead.
To these four young men, godgave knowledge and understanding
, to all kinds of literature andlearning, and Daniel could
understand visions and dreams ofall kinds.
At the end of time set by theking to bring them into his
service, the chief officialpresented them to Nebuchadnezzar
(18:49):
.
The king talked with them andhe found none equal to Daniel,
hananiah, meshiel and Azariah.
So they entered the king'sservice.
That's Daniel, chapter 1, verse15 through 19.
They excelled in the test,impressing God, who granted them
knowledge and wisdom.
The king was so impressed thathe invited them to join his
(19:11):
inner circle for their unmatchedskills.
Through the 10-day trial, theircircumstances improved tenfold.
Testing always leads to growthand improvement.
Life is filled with challengesand trials.
Significant lessons andachievements often come from
experiencing hardships.
(19:32):
The process of childbirth, thebeginning of life, involves
immense pain for both the motherand the baby.
Most women describe the agonyof giving birth to a baby the
size of a bowling ball asunmatched by any other pain.
It is likely a difficulttransition for the baby also,
(19:53):
moving from the comfort of thewomb to a noisy cold room where
they are handled roughly untilthey cry out.
Thankfully, we do not retainmemories of that initial
discomfort.
However, we do recall theeffort, difficult sacrifices and
extensive time invested inestablishing a career, starting
(20:14):
a new venture or serving in aministry.
When we adhere to God'sdirection and align our lives
with His purpose, we willencounter challenges.
There will be moments when weare tempted to quit, to opt for
the simpler path or to flee fromadversity.
Yet these trials serve as anopportunity for personal growth,
(20:35):
transforming into milestonesthat propel us towards
fulfilling God's plan for ourlives.
In Isaiah, chapter 30, verse 19through 21, it says how
gracious he will be when you cryfor help.
As soon as he hears, he willanswer you.
Although the Lord gives you thebread of adversity and the
(20:55):
water of affliction, yourteachers will be hidden no more.
With your own eyes, you willsee them Whether you turn to the
right or to the left.
Your ears will hear a voicebehind you saying this is the
way.
Walk in it.
The manner in which we navigatechallenges and hardships is
crucial for a thriving Christianlife.
(21:17):
We will all encounter toughtimes.
They are unavoidable.
Our reactions in thesesituations have a direct impact
on our faith and personaldevelopment.
Embracing and acknowledgingtests as essential components of
our growth is vital.
They serve as vehicles for ouradvancement.
(21:39):
It is emphasized that embracingstruggles is a fundamental
aspect of our spiritual journey.
It's how we grow, we're told in1 Peter 1, 6, and 7,.
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while.
While you may have had tosuffer grief in all kinds of
trials, these have come so thatthe proven genuineness of your
faith, of greater worth thangold which perishes even though
(22:02):
refined by fire, may result inpraise, glory and honor when
Jesus Christ is revealed.
Virtually every aspect of ourlives serves as a trial.
Those committed to deepeningtheir faith may encounter more
challenges than individuals whodo not follow God.
(22:22):
Referred to as the refiner'sfire in the Bible, in Malachi
3.2,.
This process mirrors thetechnique used by blacksmiths
and metal workers to enhance thequality of their creations.
By heating the metal andidentifying impurities, they
purify and refine the materialto better suit its intended
purpose.
God tests us to refine us, notto punish us.
(22:47):
You may recall the days whenyour teachers would spring a pop
quiz on you, catching you offguard with an unscheduled and
often unforeseen test.
You catching you off guard withan unscheduled and often
unforeseen test.
While not always enjoyable,these assessments served as
valuable indicators of ourlearning progress.
Likewise, our daily livespresent us with similar
(23:08):
impromptu quizzes.
Each day offers opportunitiesfor us to strengthen and develop
our faith.
Spiritual testing essentiallymirrors God's version of a pop
quiz, presenting challengingsituations or unforeseen
circumstances that bring tolight our capabilities,
advancement and maturity.
(23:29):
Often we may misinterpretopposition.
It is common to perceive testssimply as assaults from the
devil, but this is not alwaysthe reality.
While the enemy may seek tostrike during times of testing
in hopes of finding us at ourweakest and most vulnerable, the
tests we undergo presentopportunities for personal
(23:52):
growth, elevation andadvancement to the next stage.
Rather than seeing them ashindrances to be detested, these
challenges should be embracedas chances for progress.
In truth, they may indicatethat we are closer than ever to
fulfilling our divine purpose.
Paul wrote in Acts 20, verse 23,.
(24:13):
I only know that in every citythe Holy Spirit warns me that
prison and hardships are facingme.
After facing numerous tests andtrials in his life and ministry
everything from shipwrecks tojail cells, not to mention
murderous crowds Paul knew thevalue of those situations.
He said not only so, but wealso glory in our sufferings,
(24:36):
because we know that sufferingproduces perseverance.
Perseverance, character andcharacter, hope.
That's Romans, chapter 5,verses 3 and 4.
5, verses 3 and 4.
In Romans 12, 12, it says.
Later he also encouraged us tobe joyful in hope, patient in
(24:59):
affliction, faithful in prayer.
And Paul wasn't the only onewith this counterintuitive
message.
James, the half-brother ofJesus, explained consider it
pure joy, my brothers andsisters, whenever you face
trials of many kinds, becauseyou know that the testing of
your, that's James 1, verses 2-4.
We can only grow in our faithif we're tested.
(25:26):
It's that simple.
It might not be what we want tohear, but it's true.
Long before Paul and James,david also saw the value of test
and welcomed them.
In Psalms 26, 2, david saidtest me, lord, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind.
Like Daniel, david asked to betested.
(25:48):
That was Psalms 139, 23, and 24.
More frequently, it's the otherway around for many of us.
(26:11):
We want God to spare us fromtrouble and remove all obstacles
from our paths.
But when we ask for that, we'reessentially praying that we
won't grow.
Solomon, the wisest man whoever lived, reminded us in
Proverbs 17, 3, the crucible forsilver and the furnace for gold
.
But the Lord tests the heart.
(26:33):
If we want to grow, we can'tback away from places where we
see our faith clashing with theculture around us.
Instead, we can view thatfriction as an opportunity for
our faith to be tested, embracethe conflict with the courage of
(26:59):
the Lord.
It is not unexpected thatcourage frequently empowers us
to persevere through trials andsurmount challenges.
Courage is a mindset thatenables you to maintain faith in
your eventual success, evenwithout a clear path to achieve
it.
But what is the source of thiscourage?
The etymology of the worditself sheds light on how
(27:23):
courage is cultivated within us,deep in our innermost being.
The term courage in Englishoriginates from cour or c-o-u-r,
the Middle English worddenoting the heart, symbolizing
one's profound emotions.
This usage stemmed from oldFrench courage, derived from the
(27:44):
Latin word cour c-o-r, meaningheart.
The correlation between courand courage stemming from the
word word cor C-O-R, meaningheart, the correlation between
cor and courage stemming fromthe word for heart, is striking.
This connection is logical asour hearts serve as the arena
where our beliefs and challengesclash.
They engage in a confrontationto ascertain that endures and
(28:06):
remains steadfast within ourhearts.
In times when societal normstest our beliefs, it is
essential to demonstrate courage, a profound inner strength, by
standing firm and refusing toyield or adapt.
Courage is the driving forcebehind upholding our beliefs.
What is the source of ourfortitude to remain steadfast
(28:31):
amidst shifts in culture?
Well, it originates from thesame place as where Daniel,
abraham and Paul drew theirstrength the divine presence and
the teachings of God.
This is the very wellspringfrom which David derived his
courage when confronted with thepossibility of losing
everything dear to him his lovedones, his authority and the
(28:52):
esteem of his followers.
David and his men reached Ziklagon the third day.
Now the Amalekites had raidedthe Negev and Ziklag.
They had attacked Ziklag andburned it, and had taken captive
the women and everyone else init, both young and old.
They killed none of them, butcarried them off as they went on
(29:12):
their way.
When David and his men came toZiklag, they found it destroyed
by fire and their wives and sonsand daughters taken captive.
So David and his men wept alouduntil they had no strength left
to weep.
David's two wives had beencaptured, ahinoam of Jezreel and
Abigail the widow of Nabal ofCarmel.
(29:34):
David was greatly distressedbecause the men were talking of
stunning him.
Each one was bitter in spiritbecause of his sons and
daughters, but David foundstrength in the Lord, his God.
That's 1 Samuel, chapter 30,verses 1 through 6.
David, the ruler and militarycommander of Israel, openly
(29:55):
sobbed alongside his soldiersuntil they had no energy left to
cry.
Evidently, several of his mensuccumbed to bitterness and
contemplated stoning David forthe perceived failures.
However, david's reaction isworth noting.
He drew his resilience andresolve from his faith in the
Lord, his God.
(30:15):
God.
I love how the King JamesVersion renders verse six saying
David encouraged himself in theLord Sounds great, right, I
mean how cool that David, at hislowest point was able to
encourage himself in the Lord.
But how do we do that?
(30:36):
It's no coincidence thatDavid's poetic lyrics in the
Psalms often serve to ignitecourage in our hearts.
In Psalm 61, verses 1 through 2, hear my cry, o God.
Attend to my prayer.
David, begged From the end ofthe earth I will cry to.
In Psalm 61, verses 1 through2,.
(31:00):
I believe that the key todiscovering motivation lies in
our response, rather than ourimmediate reaction.
Rather than our immediatereaction.
In challenging situations, theurge to react impulsively,
displaying our anger, fear,confusion and frustration
without restraint, can be strong.
(31:21):
We might lash out at others,assume self-blame, feel
heightened anxiety or fall intodespondency.
However, it is vital not onlyto acknowledge our emotions, but
also to channel them towardsGod and devote time to solitary
worship.
In that time, we each must askourselves am I responding or
reacting?
God is capable of managing ourmost intense and unsettling
(31:46):
emotions, most intense andunsettling emotions Simply
perused through Psalms.
If you harbor any uncertainty,and he desires us to confide in
him, with what is at risk, david, akin to Daniel, paul and
sundry others, exhibited couragebecause he comprehended the
influence of worship.
I, too, have imbibed thiswisdom through personal
(32:08):
experiences.
Following moments when Ireceived distressing news, I
have sought peace in my officeand beseeched God through my
prayer, pouring out my heart toHim in worship.
This routine has served as myanchor, furnishing me with the
(32:29):
courage I needed.
Each day, our perceptions oftendistort the magnitude of our
trials.
From our vantage point, ourchallenges can appear
insurmountable and all-consuming, while God may seem
insignificant and remote.
Yet for God, the omnipotent andomnipresent ruler of all
existence, our issues likelyappear trivial.
Nonetheless, when we engage insolitary moments with Him, our
(32:52):
perspective finds equilibrium.
Although we may still be unableto see beyond our obstacles to
fathom a resolution, weunderstand the importance of
maintaining our focus on Jesusas we progress step by step.
The longer you devote to Jesus,the less time you will waste
being daunted by the views ofothers or fretting about your
(33:14):
dilemmas when confronted withloss, adversity or significant
setbacks.
Now, my initial response is toworship God.
Though this behavior wasn'tinnate to me initially, I now
appreciate how it has rescued mecountless times in my endeavor
to remain resolute in my faith.
(33:34):
Worship serves as your lifelineand yields the courage needed
to energize your faith amidsttrials and you will be tested.
The critical question is simplyhow will you respond?
Fearfully, allowing the enemy achance to derail your faith, or
(33:55):
with courage to step forwardand trust God?
With the outcome?
Culture wants to claim you, butyou don't have to let it.
You have all you need to passany test that you face.
You have the courage of theLord.
Well, that's going to end theepisode for this week.
(34:18):
As we leave today, don't forgetthat God's Word never fails us.
God's Word has stood the testof time and, through Jesus'
death on the cross, he hasconnected the gap.
Connecting the Gap podcast is apart of Connecting the Gap
Ministries, and we pray that youhave a blessed week.
Charles Stanley once said Every test, every
trial, every heartache.
That's been significant.
I can turn it over and see howGod has turned it into good, no
matter what.
This week, on Connecting theGap, we're continuing our series
on Unshaken, holding fast in aculture of compromise.
This week we're in episode fourof that series.
(00:29):
We'll be back to continue that.
The Gap this is a podcast aboutmarriage, bible and book studies
(01:05):
, and we interview peopleoccasionally that have a story.
I'm Daniel Moore, your host.
Thank you for joining us thisweek.
If you're not familiar with ourshow, check out our website at
wwwconnectingthegapnet.
All of our platforms are thereYouTube and Rumble links.
We're also on the Christianpodcasting app, edify.
You can also visit us on social, on Facebook X and Instagram at
(01:32):
ctgaponline.
If you're a fan of our show,please subscribe.
Feel free to leave a comment onour platforms, give us a thumbs
up or a five-star review onApple Podcasts, and we'd be
grateful to you for doing that.
Well, as I said here in theintro, we are in episode four of
our extended series on Unshaken.
Hope you've enjoyed the episode.
So far We've got a ways to go,but this week we're going to be
doing episode four of thatextended series this week.
(01:56):
The test to claim me.
When I married my wife,michelle, we were still young,
she already had two boys and Ihad a girl.
In the grand scope of things,everything looked like we were
(02:19):
healthy.
Truth be known, michelle oftenfought migraines.
She would put the Excedrinsdown like candy at times and it
would still seem to not phasethem.
The doctors were looking intoit to see what could be done.
In the process of the teststhat were run, it was determined
that she had a major cyst onher ovaries which were causing
(02:40):
most of the acute pain in herbody.
I always remember feeling sorryfor her because she would be in
so much pain sometimes and themigraines would cause her to
have complete blackouts and shewould be immobile for some time
in the darkness of our bedroomuntil they would subside and she
could function again.
After many consultations andattempts to try different
(03:02):
medications, the doctor decidedsome more invasive intervention
was needed.
They eventually decided thatthe best route to take was a
complete hysterectomy.
They bypassed the possibilityof a partial because they didn't
think the problem would becompletely solved.
The surgery was set up andcompleted.
Michelle was in the recoverystage.
(03:24):
The surgery was set up andcompleted.
Michelle was in the recoverystage.
As she was healing, sheeventually began to have acute
pains in her side and back.
The pain finally got so badthat we decided to have some
deeper tests run to see whatneeded to be done to resolve the
issue.
Something inside of her wasn'tright.
They sent her in to haveseveral tests run to see what
(03:45):
the issue was.
What they found wouldcompletely rock our world at the
time.
As they were running the test,they found that her ureter had
been cut when they did thehysterectomy.
The reason this was possiblewas because they did the
hysterectomy robotically to beas invasive as possible.
(04:07):
Some time had passed alreadysince the procedure had been
done and, to our dismay, theyfound that the kidney was slowly
shutting down.
We were in a race for time tosave her kidney.
The scheduling was a little bitof a mess as we needed to get
her in quickly to have anychance of saving it.
They rushed her in and put in astent.
The ureter at that time hadstarted to heal but was closing
(04:29):
off from the scar tissue.
The stent relieved the pressurein the kidney enough to give
her some relief from the pain,and the healing process
continued.
The time finally came to removethe stent, so after a quick
outpatient procedure it wasremoved.
We moved on thinking thateverything was resolved.
(04:49):
Then she started hurting again.
We got another appointment setup and went to have it checked.
The ureter had closed overagain and the kidney was in
about as bad of shape as it hadever been.
The stent had been taken outtoo quickly.
They rushed her in to try toinsert a new stent and after
(05:12):
some time in the waiting roomthey came out to inform me that
it closed over too much and theycouldn't get it back in place.
My worst fears set in.
What were we going to do now?
How was I going to tellMichelle that they couldn't get
it fixed?
When she came out to the carwith me and was released, I
(05:33):
asked the doctor what the nextstep was.
The answer he gave me was evenmore disturbing.
They couldn't perform thenecessary procedure locally.
We would have to go to aspecialist in Springfield,
missouri, or KU Medical Centerin Kansas City.
We chose KU as it was a muchbetter option.
But then there was anotherproblem.
There were only a couple ofspecialists there that performed
(05:56):
those kind of procedures anddue to the nature of the medical
center.
The doctors had to look overyour case and agree to take you
on as a patient.
Of course, the first doctorturned her down.
By this time I had sat andwatched my wife shed many tears
of pain.
There was also some anxiety anda little fear of the unknown in
(06:16):
there as well.
If this didn't get fixed, shewas going to lose that kidney.
To make a long story short, adoctor finally did take her case
and he even stayed late onThanksgiving holiday to do her
surgery before he left for hisvacation.
We were so thankful for hiscare and willingness to help.
Michelle left the medicalcenter with stage 4 kidney
(06:40):
disease.
I am happy to say that todayshe now only has stage 2 kidney
disease, which is considered apretty standard level for most
adults.
God has worked a miracle in herbody to this day Now.
I'm not one that thinks thereare demons hiding behind every
rock, but it is easy to tellwhen Satan is messing with you
(07:02):
sometimes and trying to causeproblems.
Michelle and I had resolved ourmarriage differences by this
point and Satan didn't like that.
Our mantra through the wholething was not today, satan, we
leaned on God and he deliveredus in the last hour.
(07:22):
It's time like these in 1Corinthians 15, therefore, my
(07:46):
dear brothers and sisters, standfirm, let nothing move.
You Always give yourselvesfully to the work of the Lord,
because you know that your laborin the Lord is not in vain.
While these verses are true, weshouldn't fret about our
perishable bodies, because thereis a resurrection.
I still didn't want Michelle todie.
I didn't want to watch hersuffer with such a debilitating
(08:09):
disease that could very likelyclaim her life prematurely.
Then there is verse 58, whichencourages us to stand firm in
our faith so that nothing canshake us, to give ourselves
fully to the work of the Lord.
My uneasy feeling during thattime persisted for a while, but
I had to make a choice.
Eventually, I decided toreaffirm my commitment to Jesus
(08:32):
to serve Him no matter what,even in the unbearable event of
losing my precious wife.
The timing of Michelle's ailmentand subsequent recovery could
have been coincidental.
The timing of Michelle'sailment and subsequent recovery
could have been coincidental,but in this case, hindsight is
20-20.
The entire incident clearlytested our faith.
(08:55):
God allowed it to mature ourfaith and increase our trust and
joy in Him.
The challenges that weencounter in life are not mere
coincidences or happenstance.
Rather, they serve as chancesfor us to deepen our faith and
personal growth in God.
God uses these trials to testour strength and prepare us for
what lies ahead.
(09:16):
Recognizing the significance ofthese trials, regardless of
their duration, and learning howto effectively navigate them
can be transformative.
Knowing our identity iscritical.
Setting our core convictions istoo, but unfailingly, at some
point we will all be tested.
(09:38):
As discussed in Episode 2,establishing our fundamental
beliefs is crucial formaintaining a resilient and
unwavering faith.
However, having strongconvictions alone will not
shield us from the trials thatwill challenge them.
Just as a chain is only assturdy as its weakest link, the
(09:58):
strength of our faith depends onthe steadfastness of our
beliefs in times of adversity.
It takes bravery to confrontthe adversary and hold firm, so
we must be certain of thefoundation on which our faith
stands.
Convictions reflect thedecisions we make prior to
facing hardships, while faithdemonstrates our capacity to act
(10:19):
on those convictions.
When tested, daniel knew what itmeant for his faith to be
tested repeatedly.
In fact, he even asked hisBabylonian captors to put him to
the test, and here's how ithappened.
In Daniel 1, verses 11-14,.
Daniel then said to the guardwhom the chief official had
(10:39):
appointed over Daniel, hananiah,meshiel and Azariah Please test
your servants for ten days.
Give us nothing but vegetablesto eat and water to drink.
Then compare our appearancewith that of the young men who
eat the royal food and treatyour servants in accordance with
what you see.
So he agreed to this and testedthem for ten days.
(11:00):
Daniel asked Ashpenaz to testhim and his Hebrew friends for
ten days.
Well, why ten?
Well, throughout Scripture, thenumber ten represents the
testing of faithfulness obeyingthe Ten Commandments in Exodus
20,.
Giving a test to the Lord inDeuteronomy 14.22 and Malachi
3.10,.
(11:21):
Praying for ten days in theupper room after Jesus ascended
in Acts 13,.
Enduring ten days ofpersecution in Smyrna in
Revelation 2.10.
Daniel knew that his faithwould be put to the test and he
embraced the challenge Ratherthan trying to avoid the
discomfort of being tested.
Daniel saw this conflict withculture as an opportunity.
(11:44):
Our faith will always bechallenged when faced with
cultural changes.
Satan employs trials to weakenus and lead us astray from our
beliefs.
He seeks to hinder our progressand question our commitment.
Paul experienced this andexplained we wanted to come to
you.
Certainly, I, paul did againand again, but Satan blocked our
(12:10):
way.
That's 1 Thessalonians 2.18.
The Greek term used for blockedhere means to cut a ditch or
make a detour.
When we are following God'splan for us, we directly oppose
Satan's intentions andstrategies.
Consequently, the enemy triesto obstruct our path and
(12:30):
persuade us to surrender,diverting us from our course, us
from our course.
Ultimately, his aim is to makeus serve him.
When our truth is put to thetest, we must decide whom we
will serve.
This story was once shared withme by a man named Chet.
One of the most definingchallenges to my faith came
(12:51):
during my summer internship inNew York City.
Let me start by saying thatliving in the city as a young
Christian was a whole differentworld compared to the quiet
suburb I grew up in.
The fast-paced culture, theoverwhelming distractions and
the constant push to blend inwith the crowd.
It all tested my convictions ina way I hadn't expected.
Chet continued I landed acompetitive marketing internship
(13:15):
at a trendy media firm inManhattan.
Chet continued I landed acompetitive marketing internship
at a trendy media firm inManhattan.
The job was exciting, the teamwas sharp and the environment
was intense.
People there lived for thehustle, late nights, loud bars,
casual hookups and a steady flowof just one more drink seemed
to be the rhythm of everyone'slife.
(13:35):
It was like stepping intoanother universe where faith
didn't even seem to fit.
From day one, chet said, Iquietly committed to stay
grounded.
I kept a small devotional in mybackpack and made time to read
it during lunch breaks at thelittle park down the block.
I didn't make a big deal aboutit, but people noticed,
(13:57):
especially my team lead, brandon.
He was young, charismatic andalways had something sarcastic
to say about religion.
One afternoon he spotted mereading and smirked Still
reading your fairy tales?
Huh, he said loud enough forthe team to hear.
I looked up and replied calmlyyeah, I read this every day.
(14:17):
It keeps me grounded.
Brandon chuckled and rolled hiseyes.
Come on, man, you're smart.
You really believe that stuff?
All of it I really do.
Chet said, trying to smilewithout sounding defensive.
Brandon leaned in his voice,dropping just a bit Even when
(14:37):
life kicks your teeth in, youstill believe in this God of
yours.
Then?
Yes, chet said more firmly,especially then.
The conversation ended there,but I could tell it stuck with
him.
Over the next few weeks Brandonfound new ways to poke fun
Mocking prayer, quotingscripture out of context, joking
(14:59):
that I wouldn't last a monthwithout breaking down and
joining the quote-unquote realworld.
Then one day it got personal.
Brandon called me into aconference room under the guise
of helping with a campaign.
But as soon as I sat down hetossed a folder on the table.
But as soon as I sat down, hetossed a folder on the table.
Inside was a mock proposal hehad made using my name for a
(15:21):
satirical, faith-based adcampaign.
It was filled with crude jokesabout Christianity and portrayed
me as a naive preacher boy.
Everyone else had seen italready.
Chet's stomach dropped.
He was humiliated.
What do you think?
Brandon asked with a grin.
Too close to home, chet paused,fighting the urge to lash out.
(15:45):
His heart was pounding.
Every instinct wanted to defendhimself, to snap back, to walk
out and never come back.
But then, quietly, chet said, Ifelt a different response rise
up inside of me.
I looked Brandon in the eye andsaid I forgive you.
He blinked.
What?
(16:06):
I forgive you, it hurt, it'snot funny, but I forgive you.
The room went still.
Something in Brandon'sexpression shifted.
He didn't say a word, he juststared at me, then slowly nodded
and walked out.
(16:26):
The next day he pulled me aside,I've never had someone say that
to me.
He admitted you actually livewhat you say you believe.
That's rare.
Can I ask you something?
Why?
Jesus that day began a seriesof honest conversations over
coffee and lunch breaks notdebates, just talks.
(16:48):
Brandon never did become aChristian during that internship
, but he listened and, more thanthat, he respected the faith
that he once mocked.
All because in that moment Ichose not to fight back but to
live what I claim to believe.
Chet said.
I tell you this story notbecause I'm such a strong
believer who faced such terriblepersecution.
(17:09):
This little incident is nothingcompared to the persecution so
many Christians around the worldface from their families, their
communities, their leaders andtheir governments.
I still think about Brandon andpray for him, and I still
remember what that humiliationfelt like for the rest of that
week.
But there has never been amoment in my life that forced me
(17:32):
to choose whether or not tofollow my faith the way that one
did, whether or not to followmy faith the way that one did.
Jesus said we cannot serve twomasters.
Anyone who chooses to be afriend of the world becomes an
enemy of God.
That's James, chapter 4, verse4.
When culture shifts, you willbe tested, but never give in to
(18:08):
the pressure, because it willmake you stronger.
God will always use the test inour lives to make our faith
stronger and to reveal His gloryto those around us.
Just look at what happened nextwith Daniel and his friends.
At the end of the 10 days, theylooked healthier and better
nourished than any of the youngmen who ate the royal food.
So the guard took away theirchoice food and the wine they
(18:29):
were to drink and gave themvegetables instead.
To these four young men, godgave knowledge and understanding
, to all kinds of literature andlearning, and Daniel could
understand visions and dreams ofall kinds.
At the end of time set by theking to bring them into his
service, the chief officialpresented them to Nebuchadnezzar
(18:49):
.
The king talked with them andhe found none equal to Daniel,
hananiah, meshiel and Azariah.
So they entered the king'sservice.
That's Daniel, chapter 1, verse15 through 19.
They excelled in the test,impressing God, who granted them
knowledge and wisdom.
The king was so impressed thathe invited them to join his
(19:11):
inner circle for their unmatchedskills.
Through the 10-day trial, theircircumstances improved tenfold.
Testing always leads to growthand improvement.
Life is filled with challengesand trials.
Significant lessons andachievements often come from
experiencing hardships.
(19:32):
The process of childbirth, thebeginning of life, involves
immense pain for both the motherand the baby.
Most women describe the agonyof giving birth to a baby the
size of a bowling ball asunmatched by any other pain.
It is likely a difficulttransition for the baby also,
(19:53):
moving from the comfort of thewomb to a noisy cold room where
they are handled roughly untilthey cry out.
Thankfully, we do not retainmemories of that initial
discomfort.
However, we do recall theeffort, difficult sacrifices and
extensive time invested inestablishing a career, starting
(20:14):
a new venture or serving in aministry.
When we adhere to God'sdirection and align our lives
with His purpose, we willencounter challenges.
There will be moments when weare tempted to quit, to opt for
the simpler path or to flee fromadversity.
Yet these trials serve as anopportunity for personal growth,
(20:35):
transforming into milestonesthat propel us towards
fulfilling God's plan for ourlives.
In Isaiah, chapter 30, verse 19through 21, it says how
gracious he will be when you cryfor help.
As soon as he hears, he willanswer you.
Although the Lord gives you thebread of adversity and the
(20:55):
water of affliction, yourteachers will be hidden no more.
With your own eyes, you willsee them Whether you turn to the
right or to the left.
Your ears will hear a voicebehind you saying this is the
way.
Walk in it.
The manner in which we navigatechallenges and hardships is
crucial for a thriving Christianlife.
(21:17):
We will all encounter toughtimes.
They are unavoidable.
Our reactions in thesesituations have a direct impact
on our faith and personaldevelopment.
Embracing and acknowledgingtests as essential components of
our growth is vital.
They serve as vehicles for ouradvancement.
(21:39):
It is emphasized that embracingstruggles is a fundamental
aspect of our spiritual journey.
It's how we grow, we're told in1 Peter 1, 6, and 7,.
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while.
While you may have had tosuffer grief in all kinds of
trials, these have come so thatthe proven genuineness of your
faith, of greater worth thangold which perishes even though
(22:02):
refined by fire, may result inpraise, glory and honor when
Jesus Christ is revealed.
Virtually every aspect of ourlives serves as a trial.
Those committed to deepeningtheir faith may encounter more
challenges than individuals whodo not follow God.
(22:22):
Referred to as the refiner'sfire in the Bible, in Malachi
3.2,.
This process mirrors thetechnique used by blacksmiths
and metal workers to enhance thequality of their creations.
By heating the metal andidentifying impurities, they
purify and refine the materialto better suit its intended
purpose.
God tests us to refine us, notto punish us.
(22:47):
You may recall the days whenyour teachers would spring a pop
quiz on you, catching you offguard with an unscheduled and
often unforeseen test.
You catching you off guard withan unscheduled and often
unforeseen test.
While not always enjoyable,these assessments served as
valuable indicators of ourlearning progress.
Likewise, our daily livespresent us with similar
(23:08):
impromptu quizzes.
Each day offers opportunitiesfor us to strengthen and develop
our faith.
Spiritual testing essentiallymirrors God's version of a pop
quiz, presenting challengingsituations or unforeseen
circumstances that bring tolight our capabilities,
advancement and maturity.
(23:29):
Often we may misinterpretopposition.
It is common to perceive testssimply as assaults from the
devil, but this is not alwaysthe reality.
While the enemy may seek tostrike during times of testing
in hopes of finding us at ourweakest and most vulnerable, the
tests we undergo presentopportunities for personal
(23:52):
growth, elevation andadvancement to the next stage.
Rather than seeing them ashindrances to be detested, these
challenges should be embracedas chances for progress.
In truth, they may indicatethat we are closer than ever to
fulfilling our divine purpose.
Paul wrote in Acts 20, verse 23,.
(24:13):
I only know that in every citythe Holy Spirit warns me that
prison and hardships are facingme.
After facing numerous tests andtrials in his life and ministry
everything from shipwrecks tojail cells, not to mention
murderous crowds Paul knew thevalue of those situations.
He said not only so, but wealso glory in our sufferings,
(24:36):
because we know that sufferingproduces perseverance.
Perseverance, character andcharacter, hope.
That's Romans, chapter 5,verses 3 and 4.
5, verses 3 and 4.
In Romans 12, 12, it says.
Later he also encouraged us tobe joyful in hope, patient in
(24:59):
affliction, faithful in prayer.
And Paul wasn't the only onewith this counterintuitive
message.
James, the half-brother ofJesus, explained consider it
pure joy, my brothers andsisters, whenever you face
trials of many kinds, becauseyou know that the testing of
your, that's James 1, verses 2-4.
We can only grow in our faithif we're tested.
(25:26):
It's that simple.
It might not be what we want tohear, but it's true.
Long before Paul and James,david also saw the value of test
and welcomed them.
In Psalms 26, 2, david saidtest me, lord, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind.
Like Daniel, david asked to betested.
(25:48):
That was Psalms 139, 23, and 24.
More frequently, it's the otherway around for many of us.
(26:11):
We want God to spare us fromtrouble and remove all obstacles
from our paths.
But when we ask for that, we'reessentially praying that we
won't grow.
Solomon, the wisest man whoever lived, reminded us in
Proverbs 17, 3, the crucible forsilver and the furnace for gold
.
But the Lord tests the heart.
(26:33):
If we want to grow, we can'tback away from places where we
see our faith clashing with theculture around us.
Instead, we can view thatfriction as an opportunity for
our faith to be tested, embracethe conflict with the courage of
(26:59):
the Lord.
It is not unexpected thatcourage frequently empowers us
to persevere through trials andsurmount challenges.
Courage is a mindset thatenables you to maintain faith in
your eventual success, evenwithout a clear path to achieve
it.
But what is the source of thiscourage?
The etymology of the worditself sheds light on how
(27:23):
courage is cultivated within us,deep in our innermost being.
The term courage in Englishoriginates from cour or c-o-u-r,
the Middle English worddenoting the heart, symbolizing
one's profound emotions.
This usage stemmed from oldFrench courage, derived from the
(27:44):
Latin word cour c-o-r, meaningheart.
The correlation between courand courage stemming from the
word word cor C-O-R, meaningheart, the correlation between
cor and courage stemming fromthe word for heart, is striking.
This connection is logical asour hearts serve as the arena
where our beliefs and challengesclash.
They engage in a confrontationto ascertain that endures and
(28:06):
remains steadfast within ourhearts.
In times when societal normstest our beliefs, it is
essential to demonstrate courage, a profound inner strength, by
standing firm and refusing toyield or adapt.
Courage is the driving forcebehind upholding our beliefs.
What is the source of ourfortitude to remain steadfast
(28:31):
amidst shifts in culture?
Well, it originates from thesame place as where Daniel,
abraham and Paul drew theirstrength the divine presence and
the teachings of God.
This is the very wellspringfrom which David derived his
courage when confronted with thepossibility of losing
everything dear to him his lovedones, his authority and the
(28:52):
esteem of his followers.
David and his men reached Ziklagon the third day.
Now the Amalekites had raidedthe Negev and Ziklag.
They had attacked Ziklag andburned it, and had taken captive
the women and everyone else init, both young and old.
They killed none of them, butcarried them off as they went on
(29:12):
their way.
When David and his men came toZiklag, they found it destroyed
by fire and their wives and sonsand daughters taken captive.
So David and his men wept alouduntil they had no strength left
to weep.
David's two wives had beencaptured, ahinoam of Jezreel and
Abigail the widow of Nabal ofCarmel.
(29:34):
David was greatly distressedbecause the men were talking of
stunning him.
Each one was bitter in spiritbecause of his sons and
daughters, but David foundstrength in the Lord, his God.
That's 1 Samuel, chapter 30,verses 1 through 6.
David, the ruler and militarycommander of Israel, openly
(29:55):
sobbed alongside his soldiersuntil they had no energy left to
cry.
Evidently, several of his mensuccumbed to bitterness and
contemplated stoning David forthe perceived failures.
However, david's reaction isworth noting.
He drew his resilience andresolve from his faith in the
Lord, his God.
(30:15):
God.
I love how the King JamesVersion renders verse six saying
David encouraged himself in theLord Sounds great, right, I
mean how cool that David, at hislowest point was able to
encourage himself in the Lord.
But how do we do that?
(30:36):
It's no coincidence thatDavid's poetic lyrics in the
Psalms often serve to ignitecourage in our hearts.
In Psalm 61, verses 1 through 2, hear my cry, o God.
Attend to my prayer.
David, begged From the end ofthe earth I will cry to.
In Psalm 61, verses 1 through2,.
(31:00):
I believe that the key todiscovering motivation lies in
our response, rather than ourimmediate reaction.
Rather than our immediatereaction.
In challenging situations, theurge to react impulsively,
displaying our anger, fear,confusion and frustration
without restraint, can be strong.
(31:21):
We might lash out at others,assume self-blame, feel
heightened anxiety or fall intodespondency.
However, it is vital not onlyto acknowledge our emotions, but
also to channel them towardsGod and devote time to solitary
worship.
In that time, we each must askourselves am I responding or
reacting?
God is capable of managing ourmost intense and unsettling
(31:46):
emotions, most intense andunsettling emotions Simply
perused through Psalms.
If you harbor any uncertainty,and he desires us to confide in
him, with what is at risk, david, akin to Daniel, paul and
sundry others, exhibited couragebecause he comprehended the
influence of worship.
I, too, have imbibed thiswisdom through personal
(32:08):
experiences.
Following moments when Ireceived distressing news, I
have sought peace in my officeand beseeched God through my
prayer, pouring out my heart toHim in worship.
This routine has served as myanchor, furnishing me with the
(32:29):
courage I needed.
Each day, our perceptions oftendistort the magnitude of our
trials.
From our vantage point, ourchallenges can appear
insurmountable and all-consuming, while God may seem
insignificant and remote.
Yet for God, the omnipotent andomnipresent ruler of all
existence, our issues likelyappear trivial.
Nonetheless, when we engage insolitary moments with Him, our
(32:52):
perspective finds equilibrium.
Although we may still be unableto see beyond our obstacles to
fathom a resolution, weunderstand the importance of
maintaining our focus on Jesusas we progress step by step.
The longer you devote to Jesus,the less time you will waste
being daunted by the views ofothers or fretting about your
(33:14):
dilemmas when confronted withloss, adversity or significant
setbacks.
Now, my initial response is toworship God.
Though this behavior wasn'tinnate to me initially, I now
appreciate how it has rescued mecountless times in my endeavor
to remain resolute in my faith.
(33:34):
Worship serves as your lifelineand yields the courage needed
to energize your faith amidsttrials and you will be tested.
The critical question is simplyhow will you respond?
Fearfully, allowing the enemy achance to derail your faith, or
(33:55):
with courage to step forwardand trust God?
With the outcome?
Culture wants to claim you, butyou don't have to let it.
You have all you need to passany test that you face.
You have the courage of theLord.
Well, that's going to end theepisode for this week.
(34:18):
As we leave today, don't forgetthat God's Word never fails us.
God's Word has stood the testof time and, through Jesus'
death on the cross, he hasconnected the gap.
Connecting the Gap podcast is apart of Connecting the Gap
Ministries, and we pray that youhave a blessed week.
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