Sermons on Facing Difficulties:

Choosing Optimism In The Face Of Adversity

Contributed by Delishia Davis on May 2, 2025

It is important to remain optimistic because your hope is in Jesus.

Choosing Optimism in the Face of Adversity "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived a life that exemplified unwavering ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Let Your Face Shine Series

Contributed by John Newton on Aug 14, 2022

This sermon focuses on a psalm of lament and offers it as a pattern for prayer

One of the great strengths of our Anglican worship is the continuous repetition of the psalms. If you turn to the Daily Office Lectionary in the Book of Alternative Services, you will see that there is a provision there to recite at least one psalm every morning and every evening of the year. That ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal

Facing Opposition (Acts 4)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 15, 2025

Do some love the tongues of Acts 2 but not the example of Acts 4?

Did opposition grow along with increasing church numbers? Were the apostles cowed by hostility or were they bold? How was the atmosphere in local churches? Let’s look at Acts 4. Did both persecution and the number of believers grow? The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Turn Your Face To The Wall Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 16, 2025

Hezekiah’s story is a clear testimony that prayer can overturn prophecy, that divine judgment can be interrupted by sincere intercession. It also reminds us that God is not a tyrant looking to destroy lives—He listens when the righteous cry out.

TURN YOUR FACE TO THE WALL By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Kings 20:1-11 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 38:1-5; Psalm 102:17; James 5:16-18; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 34:15 INTRODUCTION: This powerful narrative focuses on King Hezekiah, a righteous man confronted with a terminal prophecy: “Set ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 20:1-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Face-Off With The Bullies Of Nazareth

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Oct 19, 2022

Are you suffering from low self esteem? Are you experiencing bullying from the very same people that should be supporting you? Are you ready to give up your dream due to the rejection of people who are close to you? Jesus has been on that same road and he has a message of hope for you!

THE BULLIES OF NAZARETH: (A Case Study on Dealing with Rejection) Afterward, Jesus left Capernaum and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. Mark 6:1TPT INTRODUCTION: During His first preaching mission to Nazareth recorded in the book of Luke Chapter 4, Nazareth was impressed ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Steadfast In The Face Of Whatever Happens PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 3, 2025

Live each day in a way that reflects the gospel, showing unity, courage, and Christlike character in every aspect of ordinary life.

Friends, grace to you. Some weeks feel like a blur of keys, calendars, and carpool lines. We know the drill: the alarm rings, the coffee brews, the inbox fills, and our souls whisper, “Lord, make this count.” In the hum of everyday life—school runs and staff meetings, grocery aisles and garage ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27

Topics: Steadfastness, Faithfulness

Giving Thanks In Disappointments

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 3, 2014

Are you facing a situation in which you could be disappointed? Why not set up a celebration to count your blessings no matter what the outcome?

Opening illustration: After receiving his second Academy Award, Denzel Washington said to his family, “I told you, if I lost tonight, I’d come home and we’d celebrate. And if I won tonight, I’d come home and we’d celebrate.” Denzel, a Christian, was trusting God, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living Above Our Storms: Part 3 - The Reasons For Storms In Our Lives Series

Contributed by Sidney Sumida on Oct 6, 2009

Discovering the three main reasons why God allows us to experience hardships and difficulties

THE REASONS FOR STORMS IN OUR LIVES Reading Text: Proverbs 6:23, Romans 8:28-29 INTRODUCTION As stated in our previous teaching series, no one is exempt for the storms of life. Trials, tragedies, and misfortunes will come to the righteous as well as the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45), ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-29

Denomination: Charismatic

How To Deal With Trouble

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Aug 21, 2013

James lets believers know that trouble, trial and difficulty are part of life that cannot be avoided, but that as believers we CAN deal with the trouble, trial and difficulty that comes our way...

A Study of the Letter of James James 1:1 August 21, 2013 Last week we learned a little about the background and history of the book of James. During this past week I asked you to read the ENTIRE book of James once every day… how many did that? Tonight we are going to begin our study in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Encouragement For Difficult Times

Contributed by Tim Patrick on Dec 13, 2005

This sermon gives encouragement for facing difficult times.

Have you ever faced a difficult time? Your difficult time could be: the loss of a job, death of a family member, a relationship problem with another person, disease in your family, a problem at work. All of us face difficult times. Some of these times are emotional, some are spiritual, some are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-30

Denomination: Baptist

Don’t Let Your Past Determine Your Future!

Contributed by John Gaston on May 19, 2014

Our past is valuable but can limit us, especially if we have failures. The Word of God reveals 4 reasons you have a great destiny and 4 ways to restart God's plan for your life.

DON’T LET YOUR PAST DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE! Eccl. 1:9-10; Isa. 43:19; Mk. 9:23 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: BIBLE ILLITERACY 1. As of 2011, Pollsters found that in the Millennial generation (who ranged in age from 18-29) a full third of them had no plans to ever read the Bible. Hopefully that will ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:19, Isaiah 43:17-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Mirror

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 2, 2016

If we want to know who we really are, what mirror should we look in? We need, we must yield to God's Word to God's will and allow him to mold us into the image the reflection, the image of His son.

For Those not familiar with an Anglican Service; there are 4 Scriptures read prior to the Message. Today's assigned readings are: Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; and Luke 9:28-43. After being away for some time on a business trip, ... Bill thought it would be nice ... to bring ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-14, James 1:22-24, Matthew 7:4-5, 1 Corinthians 13:11-12

Denomination: Anglican

Finding Good In Difficult Times SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 9, 2023

No matter the trouble, God can turn it around for your good!

Paul tells us that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28, NIV). This means that God can take any situation, no matter how difficult, and turn it around for our benefit. Today, I want to remind you that no matter what trouble ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Topics: Trials, Difficulties

"Living With Eternal Purpose” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Oct 29, 2019

How do we keep on living on purpose for God regardless of our circumstance?

“Life is short; eternity is long. It is only reasonable that this short life be lived in light of eternity.” - Charles Spurgeon James refers to the two extremes of human existence and illustrates why thinking in terms of eternity is beneficial for the Christian. 1. It will keep us from despair - ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

"Yay, My Life Stinks!" Series

Contributed by Ryan Akers on Nov 13, 2008

Part 3 of our Fracture Series looks at how God uses trials to build our faith.

Fracture Part 3- Yay, My Life Stinks! Pastor Ryan Akers Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Wesleyan