Faith in the Storm: Hope Through Life's Trials

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What if life's storms, from financial upheaval to personal health battles, are not just obstacles but opportunities to strengthen your faith? Join Rick on a thought-provoking journey where we confront life's unpredictable challenges using the timeless wisdom of biblical teachings. Together, we'll uncover how spiritual preparation can be as crucial as stocking up for a physical winter storm. By reflecting on passages like John 16:33 and Matthew 7:24-27, we emphasize the importance of laying a solid foundation built on God's Word. Through prayer, scripture, and the power of community, we'll explore how to transform fear into faith, trusting in God's sovereignty as we navigate through life's most turbulent times.

As we continue this exploration, we'll delve into the transformative power of mindset renewal, inspired by Romans 12:2. Discover how changing your mindset can help you discern what is truly good and acceptable, leading to a life more aligned with spiritual truth. I invite you to engage with our community—share the podcast, explore past episodes on renewedmindsets.com, and leave feedback that could be featured in future episodes. Let's grow together, embracing hope and resilience through every storm, and remember the uplifting theme music, "Are you Ready?" by Floodgate, that accompanies this journey. Thank you for your support, and may our discussions offer you strength and inspiration.

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The Intro/Outro music is Are You Ready? by Floodgate. From the Album, Are You Ready? copyright 2002 OffBeat Ministries, Inc.
Floodgate is available on Apple Music and iTunes.
Music used with permission.

Thank You. I Love You!

SEE YA!

Rick

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Coming up on Renewed Mindsets.
Life can feel a lot likesailing across the ocean.
Sometimes everything's peaceful, the water's calm, the sky is
bright, but sooner or later thestorm shows up.
They're unpredictable, they'reoverwhelming and they can knock
you off course.
How we handle those stormsmakes all the difference.

(00:25):
It's what decides if we comeout stronger or end up feeling
completely lost.
Let's talk about that.
Let's go, boys.
Hey, welcome to RenewedMindsets, bringing you God's

(00:46):
truth from a Gen X perspective,with a mix of humor and a dash
of nostalgia.
Remember when life was simplerand all we needed was a good
mixtape.
Well, we're here to make yourspiritual playlist even better.
Join us as we explore scripture, laugh a little and rediscover
the power of a renewed mindset.
Don't conform transform.

(01:07):
Welcome back to RenewedMindsets, where we explore how
God's Word transforms our livesand equips us to handle life's
storms.
I'm Rick and I'm so glad you'rehere.
Today we're going to be tacklinga topic we all face unexpected
events and trials.

(01:28):
Now, right here in the South,as I speak, we're preparing for
a severe winter storm.
I'm not even sure if thispodcast episode is going to get
uploaded or not.
That storm, to me, is areminder of how life can be so
unpredictable.
You might be dealing with yourown storm.

(01:48):
It might be a financial crisisor some health issue or a family
struggle.
Whatever form it takes, thesechallenges test our resilience
but, more importantly, theyreveal our foundation.
Today we're going to talk abouthow to prepare for life's
storms and how to stand firmduring them, right and trust

(02:12):
that God's purpose is in themidst of all of it.
Section 1, the Nature of Life'sStorms.
So life's storms come in manyforms.
Life's storms, so life's stormscome in many forms Losing a job
, sudden illness, a brokenrelationship, even a global
crisis.
Storms can be unexplained.

(02:36):
They disrupt our routines, theymess up our plans.
But Jesus warned us in John 16,33, in this world you're going
to have trouble, but take heart,I've overcome the world.
Trouble isn't an option, it's aguarantee.

(02:56):
But let's look at Matthew,chapter 7, specifically 24
through 27, where Jesus tellsthe story of the two builders,
one built on the rock, the otherbuilt on sand.
Both experienced the same storm, but the outcome was vastly
different.
The house on the rock stoodfirm, while the house on the

(03:20):
sand fell with a great crash onthe sand fell with a great crash
.
Now what's that rock?
What's the rock?
It's God's Word, people, it'sHis truth, it's His promises.
Building our lives on the rockmeans living according to God's
teachings and trusting Him asour foundation.

(03:41):
When these storms come, theyexpose the foundation of our
lives.
Are we relying on Christ, orare we placing our trust in
things that can be easily shaken, like our finances or our
achievements, or in arelationship?
Let's bring this closer to home.

(04:02):
Let's talk about this winterstorm Now.
We've known that it's beencoming for days and there's
people rushing to prepare.
I say that because I spent thelast two hours driving around
the state looking for propane,or else I'd have no heat.
Now imagine if we treated ourspiritual lives like these

(04:25):
people that are rushing toprepare that didn't plan for a
storm in January, so they didn'thave enough propane Big dummy.
Are we spiritually prepared forthose storms that we know we're
going to face?
Yes Right, storms areequalizers.

(04:47):
It doesn't matter who you areRich or poor, young or old.
They're going to affecteverybody.
But our response rooted infaith makes all the difference.
When we trust God, we don'tjust survive storms, we grow
through them.
Section 2, preparing for Life'sStorms Row through them.

(05:08):
Section 2.
Preparing for life's storms.
Now, preparation is the key.
But now, ladies and gentlemen,we finally have a working
tractor beam, which we shallcall Preparation H, forgive me.
Preparation is the key, bothphysically and spiritually.

(05:31):
Just like you'd stock up onfood and water and batteries for
the winter storm, you need toequip yourself spiritually for
life's challenges.
But how do we do that?
Well, first, let's talk aboutprayer.
Prayer is our lifeline to God.
Philippians, chapter 4, and 7tells us Do not be anxious about

(05:53):
anything, but in everysituation, by prayer and
petition with thanksgiving,present your request to God, and
the peace of God, whichtranscends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and yourminds.
In Christ Jesus.
It's that simple.
When we face these potentialstorms, prayer prepares our

(06:17):
hearts to trust in God'ssovereignty.
It shifts our focus from fearto faith.
Second, we need to be groundedin Scripture.
Psalm 119.105 says your word isa lamp unto my feet and a light
to my path.
God's word guides us when wecan't see the way forward.

(06:37):
It equips us with promises thatwe can hold on to in tough
times.
Another essential is community.
Ecclesiastes 4.9 10 reminds usthat two are better than one
because they have a good returnfor their labor If either one of
them falls, one can help theother one up.
So surround yourself withbelievers who can encourage you

(07:01):
and pray with you.
And finally, preparation meanstrusting God to be our refuge,
psalm 46.1,.
God is our refuge and strength,an ever-present help in trouble
.
Before that storm hits, decideto run to God, not away from him

(07:25):
Now.
Practical steps also matter Nowfor this storm that's coming up.
People are preparing theirhomes, they're checking their
heat, they're protecting theirpipes, they're stocking up on
supplies.
Spiritually, we should be doingthe same thing.
Are we taking time to invest inour relationship with God?
Are we practicing spiritualdisciplines that are going to

(07:49):
sustain us during these trials?
Section 3.
Finding Hope Amidst Trials.
Now, when these trials hit, ourimmediate reaction a lot of
times is fear and frustration.
That's normal.
But as believers, we're calledto respond differently.

(08:11):
James, chapter 1, verses 2through 4, says Consider it pure
joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many
kinds, because you know thatthe testing of your faith
produces perseverance, producesperseverance.
Now, pure joy doesn't meanpretending to be happy.
It means recognizing that Godis at work in the storm,

(08:40):
refining us and building ourcharacter.
Now let me share a little story.
You know I like stories andthis is actually a story of mine
.
A few years ago, during anotherwinter storm, my family and I
lost power for about a week Now.
At first it was chaos.
We were cold, we wereuncomfortable, we were
frustrated.
We were in each other's way.

(09:00):
But something unexpectedhappened.
Without electricity ordistractions, we spent time
praying together, talking andreflecting on God's provision.
Now, what felt like a trialturned into a blessing.
Now that reminds me of Josephin the Bible.

(09:22):
He was sold into slavery andlater he was imprisoned.
Joseph endured incredibletrials, but in Genesis, chapter
50, verse 20, he tells hisbrothers you intended to harm me
, but God intended it for good,to accomplish what is now being
done the saving of many lives.

(09:44):
God uses trials to grow us.
God uses trials to grow us, buthe also uses them to impact
others.
When we respond with faith andhope, we become witnesses to his
goodness.
People notice when we have apeace in the middle of a whole
bunch of chaos.
They do Remember the stormsdon't last forever.

(10:09):
Psalm 30, verse 5, reminds usWeeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in themorning.
Hold on to hope, knowing thatGod is working for your good.
Section 4.
Trusting God's Sovereignty.
Trusting God's sovereigntymeans believing that he is in

(10:33):
control even when life feels outof control.
Proverbs 3, verses 5 and 6.
It says Trust in the Lord withall your heart and lean not on
your own understanding.
Sometimes we try to understandwhy things happen, but God

(10:55):
doesn't always give us answers.
Instead, he gives us hispresence and his promises.
Look at Job.
Job faced horrible andunimaginable loss.
Yet in Job 19, verse 25, hesays I know that my Redeemer

(11:16):
lives.
Job trusted God's goodness evenwhen he didn't understand his
plan.
Another example of that isJesus in the Garden of
Gethsemane.
He was facing the cross and heprayed Father, if you are
willing, take this cup from me,yet not my will, but yours be

(11:38):
done.
That's Luke 22, 42.
Jesus modeled ultimate trust inGod's plan.
When we trust in God'ssovereignty, we release the need
to control everything.
We acknowledge that His waysare higher than our ways.

(11:59):
This doesn't mean that thestorms won't hurt Trust me they
will but it means that we canhave peace, knowing that God is
with us and he's working for ourgood.
Now, as we prepare for thiswinter storm, let's also prepare

(12:20):
our hearts for life's storms.
Anchor yourself in Christ,trust his sovereignty and
remember that trials areopportunities to grow closer to
God and witness to other people.
Take some time, do that.
Take some time, yeah, take sometime to reflect on your past

(12:42):
trials.
How has God shown hisfaithfulness in those moments?
Share those stories.
They could be a source ofencouragement to somebody else.
How has God shown hisfaithfulness in those moments?
Share those stories.
They could be a source ofencouragement to somebody else.
Thank you, thank you.
Thank you for joining me todayon Renewed Mindsets.
Stay safe, stay warm and staygrounded in God's Word Until

(13:17):
next time.
Keep renewing your mind andtrusting in God's promises.
And now some dad jokes to helpyou weather that storm.
Why did the snowman go to thedoctor?
He was getting chills.
Why is Frosty always early?
Because time waits for snowman,sorry.

(13:44):
Well, that's all for this week'sshow.
You know the name of this showspeaks my hope for you.
It's taken from the words ofRomans, chapter 12, verse 2.
Do not be conformed to thisworld, but be transformed by the
renewal of your mind that bytesting you may discern what is
the will of God, what is goodand acceptable and perfect.

(14:10):
If you enjoyed what you heard,do me a favor, please and tell
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Send them a link in a text youknow you may even need to
download it to their phone andshow them what a podcast is.
If it was valuable to you, itwill be to them.
If it was valuable to you, itwill be to them.
Visit renewedmindsetscom tohear past episodes, read the

(14:35):
blog and check out the new merchand, as always while you're
there, send me a voicemail byclicking the button at the
bottom right corner of the mainpage.
Tell me what you think aboutthis show.
I just might play it on afuture episode.
Until next week, I'm Rick.

(14:58):
I love you.
See, ya.
The intro and outro music forthe Renewed Mindsets podcast is
Are you Ready?
By Floodgate From the album Areyou Ready?

(15:18):
Copyright 2002, offbeatMinistries Incorporated.
Floodgate can be found on AppleMusic and iTunes.
Music used with permission.
Happy birthday, hey, I said myfirst words.