Blog | Greater Formation

Embrace Life's Challenges: Find Strength in God

Life can feel like one challenge after another. Some days it’s a small bump, other days it’s a full-on mountain. Whether these moments strengthen or shake us depends on how we see adversity—and how we respond.

James challenges us with a surprising perspective:
“Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2).
Why? Because trials are often where God does His deepest work. Growth, maturity, and resilience are rarely forged in comfort—they’re born in pressure. If we lean in, hardship becomes a refining fire, not just a painful season.

Moses said it plainly in Psalm 90:10:
“The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.”
Life is short. And hard. But every difficulty is an opportunity—to deepen our faith, build spiritual strength, and discover purpose in the middle of the pain.

Take David. In 1 Samuel 30, he returned from battle to find

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Walk in God’s Power and Strength

Do you want to walk in God’s power and strength, or do you want to go for it in your own strength? This is a question we must each honestly ask ourselves. If we want to walk in God, we must learn to positively respond to His commands and directions. We must also be willing to say, “No” to lesser things.

A.W. Tozer gave students at Wheaton College 5 important “Don’ts” that can help strengthen us and prevent “spiritual leakage” in our lives. Let’s take a moment and consider them together.

1. Don't trifle with sin

There is no need to waste our time/lives with things that don’t satisfy and that actually make our spirits sick. Don’t slow down to even play with sin. Keep moving ahead, living full wholesome lives and obeying His positive commands.

2. Don't steal God's glory

We must not be overly concerned about people’s view of us. If we live well and give proper respect to God’s provision, direction and power in our lives, we will not be overlooked. If, however, we try to upstage wha...

Are You Waiting Well?

Do you have anything for which you are hoping or that you are hoping to accomplish in the future? The waiting can be brutally difficult – particularly if you haven’t practiced waiting and built your capacity to wait. Waiting is not an American value. We want things … and we want them soon! However, Scripture indicates that waiting is one of the ways God builds faith and hope in our lives. “Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:25) Learning to wait patiently builds character and faith. Those who wait, hoping in the Lord will renew their strength. (Isaiah 40:31)

The challenge is not to lose heart while waiting. Sometimes waiting can take its toll on our emotions and bodies. It can even work deep despair into our souls. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” (Proverbs 13:12)

Zechariah was a priest two thousand years ago. He had been praying for a child, but his wife, Elizabeth, was barren – and they were...

Is There Spiritual Leakage in Your Life?

Do you want to walk in God’s power and strength, or do you prefer to go it alone? This is a question we must each honestly ask ourselves. If you want to walk in God, you must learn to positively respond to His commands and directives. You must also be willing to say “No” to lesser things.

A.W. Tozer gave students, at Wheaton College, 5 important “Don’ts” that can help strengthen us and prevent “spiritual leakage” in our lives. Let’s take a moment and consider them together.

Don’t trifle (i.e. play or deal lightly) with sin

There is no need to waste your time/life with things that don’t truly satisfy and actually will make your spirit weak and sick. Don’t slow down to even toy with sin. Keep moving ahead, living full wholesome lives and obeying His positive commands.

Don’t steal God’s glory

Don’t be so concerned about other people’s opinion of you. If you live well and give proper respect to God’s provision, direction and power in your life, you will not be overlooked....

Embrace Life's Challenges: Find Strength in God

Walk in God’s Power and Strength

Are You Waiting Well?

Is There Spiritual Leakage in Your Life?

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