Anguish/Sorrow
Notes
Transcript
What exactly is anguish or sorrow? According to the Oxford Dictionary, it refers to a profound distress stemming from loss, disappointment, or other misfortunes experienced by oneself or others. In our discussion last week, we explored anger, which often arises from the pain, sorrow, or anguish someone feels towards another person or situation. We've all encountered sorrow in our lives. If not addressed, sorrow can escalate into anguish and ultimately lead to anger. I reflect on Job and the sorrow he endured, yet he never faltered in his determination to seek God.
The narrative of Job is among the most significant biblical accounts of sorrow. Following his losses, Job felt immense grief but continued to call out to God. His sorrow was profound, yet he remained unwavering and was eventually restored in his fortunes. This aligns with Jesus' message in John 16:20 , which reminds us that while grief may feel overwhelming, it is temporary. From the story of Job, we are urged to cling to our faith during hardships, knowing that joy awaits us on the other side.
Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
David understood what lies ahead, Psalm 30:5 .
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
What are ways we can endure our sorrow? First, we must remember that this too will pass, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 . Second, our hope is not in this world but in our joy in Christ. Lastly, God will use your sorrow for His glory.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Endurance:
Endurance:
Job persevered until the conclusion and received a restoration that exceeded his initial state, as noted in Job 42:12 . Why was this so? Because Job withstood his trials. When we arrive in heaven, I frequently ponder whether God will reveal opportunities He intended for us early on—yet we weren't prepared to receive them. We needed to endure certain circumstances before he could bless us.
Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys.
Listen to Jesus' words, “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again, a little while, and you will see Me because I got to the Father.” Jesus tells them that if they endure to the end, their sorrow will be taken away. Most people can endure a trial if they can see the end. Jesus is ultimately telling them and us to endure; the end is in sight.
The key ingredient missing from endurance is “HOPE”!
Hope:
Hope:
Hope is used on things that have zero eternal value. We hope our team wins, we hope to hit the lottery, we hope to get a hole-in-one, or we hope to become rich. We see people put their hopes in this world, economy, or politics. The one place where hope gives a ROI (Return on Investment) is in Christ! David understood where to put his hope, Psalm 39:7 ; 71:5
“And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.
For You are my hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth.
Paul knew that his ROI would be in the hope built through trials (Romans 5:3-5 ). Paul lists hope behind love in 1 Corinthians 13:13 . When all else fails, we lean on hope: hope that this will pass and we will be with Christ for eternity. Doctors told me that I would not be able to play golf or work with weights. I would not be able to run or jump after my back and neck surgeries. But my hope was not in them but in Christ, who made me new. When Jenefer and I were told Gracelynn would not live outside of the womb, our hope was in God, who gave us this child. She defied all the doctor’s odds and lived for a glorious 28 minutes!
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
We hope that when we are in the pits of hell fighting, we can come here and find hope in each other. 1 Thessalonians 2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
We also know that anything we go through will be used for His glory and purpose. God does not waste our hurts.
Purpose:
Purpose:
Job’s pain and sorrow glorified God. This tells us that God is present in our sorrow.
In the depths of grief, I vividly remember the loss of my daughter. As I navigated through my sorrow, I stumbled upon Psalm 34:18: 'The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.' This verse became my anchor, reminding me that even in our darkest moments, God draws near to us, wrapping us in His comforting presence and affirming that we are never alone in our pain.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
If we allow God to be our Hope, He will get us through every storm. Matthew 16:22 , we are His masterpiece, and He has a plan and purpose for each of us. Sometimes, it is going through trials in our lives to mold us into what He wants us to become. Jeremiah 29:11-12
Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
There is a verse I want you to put on your heart, especially when you feel like you can’t go any further. Jeremiah 33:3
‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
Application:
Application:
1. Lean not on yourself. Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
2. Put your Hope in Christ. Colossians 1:27
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
3. Endure to the end. Matthew 24:13
But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
