In Sermon Illustrations: "Overcome Difficulty"

Edison Burns All His Mistakes  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 19, 2011

EDISON BURNS ALL HIS MISTAKES Thomas A. Edison's plant was on fire. As he helplessly watched it burn, taking his costly experiments up in flames, he called his son Charles. "Come!" he said. "You'll never see anything like this again!" Then he called his wife. As the three stood gazing, Edison ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, Psalm 31:1-24

Tags: Trust, Action, Need, Trials And Difficulties

Sidewalk Flowers

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

"There is no failure except in no longer trying. There is no defeat except from within, no really insurmountable barrier save our own inherent weakness of purpose." - Hubbard, Kin American Journalist (1868-1930) I once knew a woman who grew up in Oklahoma in a very poor family. She ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Persevere, Adversity, Disability, Trials And Difficulties

Denomination: Charismatic

Bearing Our Cross

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Apr 7, 2015

A "Natural" Rope a dope... Cross bearing is an indispensable part of a Christian’s life, so that work of moulding a person into a Christ-like image which begins at the point of re-generation is completed in all respects (2 Cor 3:18) by the time of Rapture or one’s departure from the Earthly ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Tags: Tithing, Trials And Difficulties, Bearing, Discerning

Denomination: *other

Without One Plea  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

WITHOUT ONE PLEA Charlotte Elliott was a sickly English woman who had developed a long history of refusing to do things she was asked to do because of her illness. Her brother, who was a pastor, had been particularly persistent in trying to get her out of herself, trying to get her involved in ...read more

Scripture: John 8:3-11, John 4:1-26

Tags: Healing, Brokenness, Trials And Difficulties, Used

[014] A Message From A Poem - Against The Christian

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 18, 2024

[014] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - AGAINST THE CHRISTIAN The origin of this poem goes right back to a time of considerable difficulty when I was going through tough times and some people were very nasty. Christians do face real difficulties and you will have persecution and unfairness just because ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:12, Hebrews 2:17, John 14:16-17

Tags: Persecution, Comfort, Difficulties, Trials, Suffer  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Teenage Boy Was Seriously Injured An Automobile ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Oct 21, 2003

A teenage boy was seriously injured an automobile accident. The doctors did all they could to repair the damages to the boy’s body but despite their fast medical knowledge they were unable to completely restore his legs. He was informed that he would eventually walk, but only with the aid of ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:4-5, John 16:33

Tags: Healing, God's Forgiveness, Christian Liberty, Determination, Overcome, Trial, Struggles  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Purifying The Heart

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 16, 2024

A woman puts a spoonful of dirt into a cup of water, muddying it. She initially tries to remove the dirt with a spoon but realizes it's ineffective. Instead, she starts pouring fresh, clean water into the cup continuously. As the cup overflows, the dirty water is gradually replaced by clean ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Tags: Good, Impact, Spiritual Renewal, Godly Thoughts, Evil, Overcome, Transformation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Lifted Up The Spirit Of A Discouraged ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Feb 10, 2003

Jesus lifted up the spirit of a discouraged preacher who retired early because of what happened to him. "In the Pentecostal Evangel church leader George U. Wood writes: "Have you ever heard a healing take place? I have. I listened to an audiotape of Duane Miller teaching his Sunday school ...read more

Tags: Adversity, Faith, God's Forgiveness, Healing, Memories, Miracles, New Ministry, Overcome  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

Three Ways Out

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 1, 2013

THREE WAYS OUT Sir Harry Lauder was a British entertainer who proved highly popular throughout the English speaking world both before, during and after World War One. During World War One Lauder worked tirelessly to organize and recruit performers for shows given to troops serving abroad. When ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Tags: Death, Despair, Struggles, Hardship Of Life, Trials And Difficulties  (view more)  (view less)

Life With God On Your Side Should Get Better, Shouldn't It?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Aug 31, 2017

5 Storms in my life changed me intensely. Sometimes a storm will follow a great spiritual event just like these disciples had witnessed. … Many years ago, I was having great difficulties, and that is when I turned to Christ, and then I knew that everything in the bible was true, that Jesus was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Tags: Doubt, Storm, Difficulties, Confusion, Trials, Doubt And Fear  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Episcopal

Strength Through Interconnectedness

Contributed by Richard Tow on Oct 5, 2020

Years ago, Jeanie and I visited the Redwood National Park in northern California. We stood in awe as we looked up to trees reaching over 350 feet. These trees have endured storms for over 1,000 years. The surprising thing is that their roots are very shallow—only about 10 to 12 feet deep. How does ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-3

Tags: Community, Church, Perseverance, Unity, Cooperation, Difficulties, Storms  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Lessons From The Pothole

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Mar 21, 2023

Driving to work the other day I hit a pothole and, like most people, I reacted angrily. “Why can’t they do something about this?” I mumbled under my breathe. But this time instead of complaining I thought maybe I could learn a lesson or two from the pothole. Here’s what I learned: Pothole Lesson ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:11, 1 Peter 4:12, 1 Peter 1:6

Tags: Trouble, Pain, Proverbs, Persecution, Wisdom, Suffering, Difficulties  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Potato, Egg, Or Coffee?  PRO

Contributed by Mike Leiter on Jan 15, 2003

POTATO, EGG, OR COFFEE? Once upon a time a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn’t know how she was going to make it. She was tired of fighting and struggling all the time. It seemed just as one problem was solved, another one soon followed. Her father, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 15:7, Galatians 6:9, James 1:2-4

Tags: Hardship, Purpose, Touch, Trial, Struggles, Difficulties, Adversity, Endurance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Vineyard

Because He Lives  PRO

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Sep 25, 2014

It’s because He lives we should be able to face tomorrow, it’s because He lives all fear should be gone. Because He lives we are pretty sure who holds the future. Is that the lyrics Bill Gaither wrote? No, but that’s the way many Christians feel. The first verse of Because He Lives says it all. God ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-3

Tags: Troubled Times, Trials And Difficulties, Time Of Trouble, Trials Of Life

Denomination: Baptist

True Faith - An Outline Of The Book Of James

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 21, 2023

A good outline of the Book of James and what true faith produces in our lives: 1. True faith responds with practical godliness under testing (Jas 1:2-27). A. True faith responds with joy when it faces testing (Jas 1:2, 3, 4). B. True faith seeks God for wisdom in times of testing (Jas 1:5, 6, 7, ...read more

Tags: Faith, Suffering, Difficulties, Works, Tests, Trials, Problems, Tribulations  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bad News And Worse News!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 21, 2023

Doctor to patient: "I have bad news and worse news." Patient: "So let's have it." Doctor: "The bad news is that you only have 24 hours to live." Patient: "I can't imagine what could be worse than ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13, John 16:33

Tags: Tests, Trials, Problems, Faith, Tribulation, Difficulties, Bad News  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[203]. A Message From A Poem - On The Eve Of Trial

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 17, 2025

[203]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - ON THE EVE OF TRIAL This poem was written at the airport when I had to go away for a very unjust hearing before a wicked, unjust Commissioner/Judge, and the whole setup was so evil. If you ever feel the dragon’s breath then you will know what I mean. I don’t wish ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13, John 16:33

Tags: Unjust, Trials, Trepidation, Peace, Overcome, Tribulation, Control, Trial, Injustice, World, Fear, Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Author's Unique Testimony On Psalm 91

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 26, 2025

Christian author, William MacDonald had a unique testimony about Psalm 91. He began by saying: "Psalm 91 is my Psalm. In 1922, in the Western Hebrides, a five-year-old lad was dying of diphtheria. A mucous membrane was forming across his throat, and breathing was becoming increasingly ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16

Tags: Fortress, Eternal Life, Refuge, Cross Of Christ, Messianic Prophecies, Fear, Protection, Resurrection, Trust, Overcome  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

God's Ultimate Protection - Psalm 91

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 26, 2025

God's Ultimate Protection - Psalm 91 Judy Anderson grew up as a missionary kid in Zaire. As a little girl, she went to a day-long rally celebrating the 100th anniversary of Christian missionaries coming to that part of the country. After a full day of messages and music, an old man came ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16

Tags: Eternal Life, Refuge, Cross Of Christ, Messiah Prophecies, Fear, Protection, Resurrection, Trust, Overcome, Fortress  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Why Does God Allow Hardship?  PRO

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jul 16, 2008

WHY DOES GOD ALLOW HARDSHIP? We live in a mixed-up, messed-up world. Sometimes terrible things happen that don't make any sense at all, and we wonder why? Steven Curtis Chapman is one of the best known singer-songwriters of contemporary Christian music. Over the last 15 or 20 years his songs have ...read more

Tags: Difficulties, Trial, Hardship Of Life, Father, Family, Hardship, Missions, Fatherhood  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist