Confession and Forgiveness

Where do you find peace? How do you react when you’re faced with challenges and situations that are anything but peaceful?

When Paul and Silas were in prison, they still praised God. They had an inner peace that was not defined by their circumstances. They knew that God was still good, despite their chains.

When Stephen was being put to death by stoning, he had peace. He even prayed that those who were killing him would be forgiven. Stephen died at their hands, but he knew that this was not the end. He trusted in God, and he saw Jesus alive at the right hand of God!

In this life, we will face hard things. Maybe our situation won’t be exactly like the examples above, but maybe it will feel just as hard. This world is not perfect, and no one, not even the most mature Christians, are immune to pain and suffering.

When we as Christians face hard times, we can put our hope in God. We can find peace in Him. Jesus said in John 16 that He has come to give us peace. Jesus invites us to bring our pain and suffering to Him in honest lament. He acknowledges that we will have struggles in this world, but Jesus also reminds us He has overcome the world. We can have peace because of that! • Bethany Acker

• Do you struggle to find peace in the hard times? Which stories in the Bible help you see God’s goodness in the midst of struggles?

• How do you draw near to God when you’re experiencing pain and suffering? If you’re not sure, who is a trusted Christian you can talk to?

• How might remembering Jesus’ finished work on the cross and His current place of authority give you hope?

• Because God is so good, He can use even something as terrible as suffering to bring about good things. In Christ, what are some things suffering can produce (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4)?

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NLT)

Read Verses:

Romans 13:12; Ephesians 5:8; 1 John 1:5-9