Category Archives: Trials

Trouble Travels

Posted on May 20, 2019 by russellmckinney

Here’s a true story. A retired couple found themselves greatly worried by the threat of nuclear war. So, they decided that their best course of action was to settle down in the place that was the least likely in all … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Change, Choices, Complaining, Contentment, Desires, Fear, God's Will, Human Life, Inner Peace, Peace, Problems, Temptation, Trials, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Jonah Path

Posted on May 18, 2019 by russellmckinney

Here’s some Bible trivia for you. Question: What is the Bible’s only book that ends with a question? Answer: Jonah. Jonah 4:11 closes the book with God asking the prophet Jonah: “And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Backsliding, Church, Church Attendance, Depression, Disappointment, Doubt, Encouragement, Honesty, Personal, Prayer, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Your Prayers Don’t Have to Be Perfect

Posted on April 30, 2019 by russellmckinney

Acts 12:1-19 records the story of Peter’s prison break. The story begins with Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great, having Peter arrested and incarcerated in a Roman prison in Jerusalem. Herod is feeling his oats because he … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Belief, Comfort, Confession, Discipleship, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Fatherhood, God's Mercy, God's Provision, God's Work, Grace, Honesty, Influence, Needs, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Submission, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

When God Doesn’t Seem to Care

Posted on April 24, 2019 by russellmckinney

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Children, Christ's Death, Comfort, Complaining, Depression, Disappointment, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Fatherhood, Honesty, Parenting, Pastors, Persecution, Personal, Prayer, Problems, Suffering, Thankfulness, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Strange Looking Bread & Fish

Posted on April 15, 2019 by russellmckinney

“Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Complaining, Contentment, Desires, Disappointment, Discernment, Discipleship, Faithfulness, God's Provision, God's Work, Impatience, Needs, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thy Rod & Thy Staff They Comfort Me

Posted on April 10, 2019 by russellmckinney

The 23rd Psalm is all about how the Lord leads His people. My favorite part of the Psalm is verse 2: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (K.J.V.) Green pastures … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Comfort, Depression, Disappointment, Discipleship, Disobedience, Encouragement, Fear, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Submission, Suffering, Temptation, The Devil, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

What Does “Rest For Your Soul” Really Mean?

Posted on April 3, 2019 by russellmckinney

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Disappointment, Encouragement, Human Life, Peace, Persecution, Problems, Salvation, Sickness, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Holy Spirit, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Something To Believe In

Posted on March 29, 2019 by russellmckinney

A pastor’s family got home from church following a Sunday morning service and started preparing for lunch. After everyone had changed out of their Sunday best clothes, the mother began heating up some leftovers from the previous night. When the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Atheism, Attitude, Belief, Complaining, Disappointment, Doubt, Encouragement, Eternity, Faith, Heaven, Human Life, Problems, Salvation, Suffering, Suicide, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Something to Consider When Troubles Come Your Way

Posted on March 20, 2019 by russellmckinney

You have to love Gideon. As he lived in a time when God seemed to be a million miles from Israel, and as he dealt each day with the fallout from that situation, he became a realist. And as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Change, Complaining, Depression, Disappointment, Discernment, Encouragement, God's Judgment, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Justice, Ministry, Prayer, Problems, Restoration, Service, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Mechanic

Posted on February 13, 2019 by russellmckinney

As an old story goes, in the early 1900s a husband and his wife purchased one of those newfangled Model T Fords. They took it out for a drive one day, but something happened to the engine and the car … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Comfort, Creation, Dying To Self, Encouragement, Individuality, Problems, Salvation, Submission, Trials, Worry | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment