Sermons on Difficulty:

Be Encouraged! Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 19, 2012

As we walk through difficulties in life, one of the best ways to get perspective and see our way through to the end is encouragement. David shows us the best way possible to become encouraged!

David appears to be in a jam in this psalm (what else is new?). Some think that this psalm is related to Psalm 25—that the same situation is going on. It appears to be a revolt by the ruling class who are taking “bribes” (vs 10) and not acting in integrity in their relationship ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Priority Of Prayer

Contributed by John Newbaker on Jan 26, 2016

Where do you turn to when difficulty, sickness, hardship comes into your life? Where do you turn to for wisdom, guidance, comfort? The first place we should turn to is pray.

The Priority of Prayer 1 Thess. 5:17 Where do you turn to when difficulty, sickness, hardship comes into your life? Where do you turn to for wisdom, guidance, comfort? The first place we should turn to is pray. read text This is not the only time in scripture that we find this command. In ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 7, 2025

This sermon centres on a life-transforming truth: Go! and turn your eyes upon Jesus.In a world full of distractions, doubts, and difficulties, the key to hope and victory is to fix our gaze on Christ.

Go! And Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus Introduction Today, our message centres on a life-transforming truth: Go! and turn your eyes upon Jesus. In a world full of distractions, doubts, and difficulties, the key to hope and victory is to fix our gaze on Christ. Hebrews 12:2 (NLT): exhorts us: “We do ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2, Acts 4:12, John 14:6, Matthew 11:28-30, Philippians 4:13, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 119:105, Acts 16:31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sermon On Living The Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Mar 30, 2024

Living the life might be regarded as: taking it firmly by the horns, embracing it with an open mind, and performing the constructional intentions of making the most of opportunities, despite the many obstacles or difficulties that consistently present themselves.

Roy T. Bennett, the author of “The Light In The Heart,” once remarked: “Don't let the expectations and opinions of other people affect your decisions. It's your life, not theirs. Do what matters most to you; do what makes you feel alive and happy. Don't let the expectations and ideas of ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10, Psalm 37:4, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 27:1

Bracing For The Bad Times

Contributed by Keith Linkous on Aug 30, 2001

How do we make it through difficulties? Not just troubles, but even tragedies? Jesus told us we would have trouble, but He also promised peace. This message discusses how that is possible.

(This message was preached during a recent week where our family experienced the death of a close friend, and the death of a family members’ baby.) Any time tragedies and turmoils come to us, such as we have experienced this week, it sends us searching for answers. We begin to think, to ...read more

Scripture: John 16:32-33

Denomination: Pentecostal

Standing Firm In Trials Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

Persecution is promised to believers; therefore we should not be surprised when we encounter trials of various kinds. In the midst of difficulties, we must continue to increase in love for people as we anticipate the return of Christ.

Standing Firm in Trials Here are a few breaking prayer needs that have been compiled by a ministry called “Open Doors.” (Taken from the Pastor’s Guide for the “International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church,” www.opendoorsusa.org). Vietnamese authorities recently arrested a pastor and held ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Fast Pass

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 31, 2003

Many of us want to bypass trial and temptation - but God says there is no "Fast Pass" around difficulty. In fact, we need to learn from the mistakes of others in order to learn patience and the way to withstand temptation.

Recently I went to Disneyland. I’ve been there a number of times, but this time something was different. Instead of one line for each ride – many had two lines. While waiting for the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – I watched in dismay as people walked right up to the front and got on what seemed ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-33

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Steering For Success Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Sep 10, 2005

1st in 5 part series on overcoming the obstacles and difficulties of life using five different Psalms. We used a "journey" or "road" metaphor in terms of the bumps of success, fear, guilt, grief, etc.

STEERING FOR SUCCESS Navigating the Bumps of Life - Week 1 PSALM 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES:(Special: “Without A Song.”) It was written in 1929 but it has been sung for over 6 decades by such performers as Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, The Carpenters, The Supremes, Willie Nelson and now, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Christian Church

Are You A Spiritual Pilgrim Or Tourist?

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Jul 15, 2004

Abraham is shown to be a spiritual Pilgrim on his journey to the City of God, as seen in his Call to a New Life, his Response by Faith, his Courageous Commitment, his Persistence in Difficulty and in Reaching his Goal.

Istanbul, formerly the historic Constantinople, was an early centre of Christianity. One of the tourist attractions is the huge building called the Aghia Sophia. The guide summarised its history as a church, then a mosque and now a tourist attraction, like this: 800 years dedicated to Christ; ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Does God Bring Trouble?

Contributed by Efren V. Narido on Nov 25, 2006

But if we believe that it is the Sovereign God who gave good things and bad things – adversity, or whatever trial and difficulty, should we not accept whatever He allows or even causes to happen in our life?

“On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the LORD said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the LORD, ‘From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.’ Then the LORD said to ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Shin - Psalm 119:161-168 Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Apr 11, 2012

We face difficulties in life and many of us seek peace in this life… the psalmist here instructs us on how peace can be obtained and that is thru obedience to God’s Word…

Shin April 11, 2012 Oak Park Baptist Church – Wed Bible Study Series Psalm 119:161-169 (ESV) – 21 of 22 Sin or Shin – 20th letter of the Hebrew Alphabet Read/show ALL verses b4 verse by verse teaching… [ESV] [show verses here] 161Princes persecute me without cause, but my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:161-168

Denomination: Baptist

Trust Me Series

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Sep 24, 2009

The call to faith this morning is an invitation to trust God when you think everything is falling apart. In the midst of the difficulties you face, the pain you bear, or the darkness you stumble through, trust Father.

Keeping It Together When You’re Falling Apart Trust Me 1 John 5:1-5 Text from The Message: 4Every God-begotten person conquers the world’s ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. Today’s message represents my final in a series called “Keeping it together when ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Cost To Serve Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Sep 8, 2019

Jesus had revealed much about the difficulty and opposition the disciples would face as they sought to serve Him. Finally, He revealed their service would also require personal sacrifice - it would come at a cost.

The Cost to Serve Matthew 10: 34-39 Jesus had revealed much to the disciples regarding what they could expect as they answered the call to proclaim the Good News. He warned that the task would not be easy, many would reject them, and they would face opposition along the way. However, in the midst ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:34-39

Denomination: Baptist

A Biblical Strategy For Success In The New Year

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jan 10, 2022

Paul recognizing that the believers were facing great difficulties and knowing the problems created by a pandemic of persecution and present trials, he wanted to be an encouraging example for the church at Philippi. Here is His biblical strategy for success.

Subject: A Biblical Strategy For Success in the New Year Text: Philippians 3:7-14 Php 3:4 “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-14, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:8-10, 2 Corinthians 11:5

Denomination: Methodist

Why Should I Be Thankful

Contributed by Lonnie Erwin on Nov 19, 2022

It seems that in the last few years that life has thrown us a curve. It has not been easy to face the difficulties in living so we may ask the question why I should be thankful this Thanksgiving

Sermon Text: Col 1:3-8 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:3-8, Romans 8:38-39

Denomination: Baptist