“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:15–16 NLT)

 

When hardship strikes some people, they will turn away from God. If something bad happens to them that doesn’t make sense, they conclude there can’t be a God—or that if there is a God, He doesn’t care about them. So, they turn against Him and essentially find a belief system that accommodates their feelings.

It should come as no surprise that the devil does some of his most effective work during times of hardship and suffering. Given half a chance, he’ll turn our attention away from the big picture of God’s plan to strengthen, nurture, and care for us through our struggles and difficulties. Instead, the devil tries to shift our focus to the smaller picture of our immediate circumstances. He’ll appeal to our sense of privilege. “Why should I have to face any hardship or suffering? Why doesn’t God do something about it?”

But God isn’t to blame for our difficulties and struggles. Trials and hardship are the byproducts of a fallen world. We suffer because we sinned. God is the One who gives us hope amid our suffering. Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT).

To give us that hope, God had to suffer, too. Jesus Christ was God incarnate, and no one ever suffered like Jesus. Not only did He endure the physical pain of being whipped, beaten, and crucified, but He also bore the sins of the world on Himself as He hung on Calvary’s cross and cried out, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46 NLT).

When you’re suffering, you need to know that you’re talking to a God who knows what you’re going through. You’ll find in Jesus a merciful High Priest and a faithful friend who feels your pain. Hebrews 4:15 says, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (NLT).

We can’t live in a pain-free world, as much as we would like to try. When trouble comes (and it will come), when crisis knocks at your door (and it will knock), you can either become angry at God or turn to Him and trust in Him.

Here’s your choice in life: You can become better or bitter. It’s usually one or the other. When something bad happens, you can say, “I’m mad at God. I’m bitter with God.” Okay. That’s your choice. But you can also say, “I’m going to trust in God. I’m going to cling to God.” And you will become better as a result. It’s really up to you.

 

Reflection question: What situation in your life right now has the potential to make you either better or bitter? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

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&ldquo;This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.&rdquo; (Hebrews 4:15&ndash;16 NLT)
&nbsp;
When hardship strikes some people, they will turn away from God. If something bad happens to them that doesn&rsquo;t make sense, they conclude there can&rsquo;t be a God&mdash;or that if there is a God, He doesn&rsquo;t care about them. So, they turn against Him and essentially find a belief system that accommodates their feelings.
It should come as no surprise that the devil does some of his most effective work during times of hardship and suffering. Given half a chance, he&rsquo;ll turn our attention away from the big picture of God&rsquo;s plan to strengthen, nurture, and care for us through our struggles and difficulties. Instead, the devil tries to shift our focus to the smaller picture of our immediate circumstances. He&rsquo;ll appeal to our sense of privilege. &ldquo;Why should I have to face any hardship or suffering? Why doesn&rsquo;t God do something about it?&rdquo;
But God isn&rsquo;t to blame for our difficulties and struggles. Trials and hardship are the byproducts of a fallen world. We suffer because we sinned. God is the One who gives us hope amid our suffering. Jesus said, &ldquo;I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world&rdquo; (John 16:33 NLT).
To give us that hope, God had to suffer, too. Jesus Christ was God incarnate, and no one ever suffered like Jesus. Not only did He endure the physical pain of being whipped, beaten, and crucified, but He also bore the sins of the world on Himself as He hung on Calvary&rsquo;s cross and cried out, &ldquo;My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?&rdquo; (Matthew 27:46 NLT).
When you&rsquo;re suffering, you need to know that you&rsquo;re talking to a God who knows what you&rsquo;re going through. You&rsquo;ll find in Jesus a merciful High Priest and a faithful friend who feels your pain. Hebrews 4:15 says, &ldquo;This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin&rdquo; (NLT).
We can&rsquo;t live in a pain-free world, as much as we would like to try. When trouble comes (and it will come), when crisis knocks at your door (and it will knock), you can either become angry at God or turn to Him and trust in Him.
Here&rsquo;s your choice in life: You can become better or bitter. It&rsquo;s usually one or the other. When something bad happens, you can say, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m mad at God. I&rsquo;m bitter with God.&rdquo; Okay. That&rsquo;s your choice. But you can also say, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to trust in God. I&rsquo;m going to cling to God.&rdquo; And you will become better as a result. It&rsquo;s really up to you.
&nbsp;
Reflection question: What situation in your life right now has the potential to make you either better or bitter?&nbsp;<a href="https://disciple.harvest.org/spaces/17592429/feed?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestDiscipleship">Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!</a>
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The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
<a href="https://go.pddr.app/glpodcast">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestPartners">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you. 

*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God&rsquo;s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from&nbsp;<a href="https://harvest.org/about-greg-laurie/">Pastor Greg Laurie</a>, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you.&nbsp;
*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

Greg Laurie provides commentary on the day's Bible verse.

Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

When bad things happen, you can become either better or bitter.

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