The Only Wise God: His Sovereignty
Tim Keller | November 22, 1992
Outline
Hebrews 12:12–13
Imagine God as a coach, a dad, and a doctor who uses tough times to help us grow, heal, and get better. When we understand this, we can stay strong and keep going through the hard stuff in life.
1. God is like a good coach; so, our difficulties are not random
Think of God as a coach who knows exactly what exercises we need to get stronger, especially in our weak areas. He pushes us out of our comfort zones, just like a gym coach would, to build our faith and character. So, when life gets tough, instead of feeling sorry for ourselves, we should realize that these challenges are there to make our faith and character stronger.
2. God is like a loving father; so, there’s a purpose to our suffering
Unlike stoicism, Christianity teaches that God is like a father who, out of love, disciplines his children for their own good. His role as a father highlights the importance of discipline in helping us grow and become whole. So, when we face trials, we should see them as chances to grow and trust in God’s wisdom, knowing they are given by a loving father.
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