Category Archives: Trials

“My Cross Is Too Big for Me to Bear”

Posted on December 9, 2022 by russellmckinney

A Christian woman was forced to continually deal with a ongoing problem in her life. Eventually, she faded into total self-pity. Time and time again she told people, “My cross is too big for me to bear.” One night she … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Complaining, Contentment, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Perseverance, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

In Training to Be Used Mightily

Posted on November 28, 2022 by russellmckinney

A budding young soloist went to a great Italian musician for voice training. The master handed him a piece of music and said, “Practice this for one full year and then return here.” The request seemed a bit strange, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Choices, Commitment, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Timing, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Impatience, Ministry, Music, Obedience, Patience, Perseverance, Rebellion, Reward, Submission, Teaching, Temptation, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Good Thought for Thanksgiving

Posted on November 24, 2022 by russellmckinney

Let’s say that a father takes his child to McDonalds for french-fries. Once they have their order and are seated at a table, the father tests the child by asking, “Do you love me more than you love these french-fries?” … Continue reading →

Posted in Fatherhood, God's Love, God's Provision, Parenting, Praise, Priorities, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, Trials, Worship | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

God Knows What He is Doing/ He Maketh No Mistake

Posted on November 22, 2022 by russellmckinney

For a post today, I decided to do something a bit different by combining a couple of short items I’ve had in my files for some time. The first one is a little story that offers one example of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Comfort, Disappointment, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Humor, Patience, Perseverance, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Optimistic Are You About Your Future?

Posted on November 11, 2022 by russellmckinney

Flagstaff, Maine, was chosen as the site for a huge hydroelectric installation. The installation would include a dam that would impound miles and miles of water and bury the town under water. Consequently, in the late 1940s, the process of … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Assurance of Salvation, Attitude, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Comfort, Contentment, Depression, Disappointment, Elderly, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Eternity, Faith, Heaven, Peace, Problems, Reward, Salvation, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Criticism

Posted on November 9, 2022 by russellmckinney

I once heard Jack Graham, the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas, tell a great story in his sermon. The story went as follows. A man and his wife walked into a store. A parrot sitting on a perch … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Commitment, Criticism, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Will, Humor, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Suffering

Posted on October 24, 2022 by russellmckinney

We live in a culture in which we are taught to avoid suffering. After all, avoiding it does seem to make perfect sense. But the problem is that God, who oftentimes delights in making little or no sense, uses suffering … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Comfort, Complaining, Contentment, Courage, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Reward, Salvation, Sanctification, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What Is Your Opinion of God?

Posted on October 18, 2022 by russellmckinney

Somewhere along the way, I picked up a two-column chart on the subject of God. The chart presents two very different opinions concerning our Maker. See which side best describes your opinion of God. Opinion 1 ————————————————————————————- Opinion 2 a loving father … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Attitude, Depression, Disappointment, Honesty, Perseverance, Prayer, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Test of Prosperity

Posted on September 28, 2022 by russellmckinney

Quick, name the toughest test to pass spiritually. Did you say, “Disease”? Did you say, “The death of a loved one”? Did you say, “Troubles?” Did you say, “Disappointment”? Well, there’s no doubt that none of those tests are spiritual … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Backsliding, Choices, Contentment, Decisions, Desires, Disobedience, Faithfulness, God's Provision, Greed, Lust, Personal Holiness, Prosperity, Sex, Sin, Temptation, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

All You Need to Know

Posted on September 9, 2022 by russellmckinney

The teacher of a children’s Sunday School class gave her students one month to memorize the 23rd Psalm. Little Bobby gave it his best, but by month’s end he still couldn’t quote all the Psalm. So, when it came his … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Eternal Security, God's Love, God's Omnipresence, God's Provision, Needs, Problems, Sunday School, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment