"Growing Pains"

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" ~ Romans 8:28

This oft-quoted and memorized verse by Christians is a good reminder that no matter the circumstances, God is at work. The question is whether or not we are willing to see it. We tend to overreact to things, assuming God is blessing us when things are going well and that He has turned His back on us when we are going through a rough stretch. Sometimes, both of these swings happen within the same day. But God wants those who truly obey Him to resist being prisoners of the moment. When things are going poorly, we should look for what God wants us to learn and be ready for His comfort and blessing. And when things are going well and growth is happening, we should be prepared for the pains that come with it and the world's resistance to it. God wants us to trust and obey Him either way. This week at Friendship, we'll talk about the "Growing Pains" that the apostles faced in the early church as the number of believers was increasing rapidly. Were they too high on their own "success" to be ready, or did they expect the difficulties and view them as opportunities to submit to God's plans? Join us this week to find out, and then consider your own approach to your good and bad circumstances.