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Filling the Void in Your Heart—Joy in Adversity
In the past, I always complained, wondering why so many difficulties and hardships befell me, why I seemed so unlucky. It was my shortsightedness that prevented me from recognizing the benefits these hardships brought and the guidance God provided through them. So, I set a goal for myself: whenever hardships arise, to calm my heart and earnestly discern what I can learn from these challenges and feel the comfort and grace God extends to me in these times.
God responded to the goal I had set! One morning, as I was driving to work and waiting at a red light to turn onto the freeway, I suddenly noticed the tire pressure light on my dashboard was lit. I suspected a nail might have punctured a tire, a situation I had never dealt with before. Therefore, I pulled over onto a road near the freeway entrance. Since it was a one-way street with no parking lanes or spots, stopping there was very risky. But right after turning, I spotted a large sign for road work set up near the sidewalk, allowing me to safely park by the curb. I saw a shadow near the sign through my rearview mirror, so I reversed into it, just enough to shade my car, because the sun was extraordinarily strong and the temperature was high that day, allowing me to comfortably change the tire in the shade.
Since it was my first time facing this situation, I spent a lot of time online, watching videos to learn how to change the tire. After much effort, I finally managed to replace it. Just when my jack wouldn’t lower, right before I started to panic, I encouraged myself with the goal I had set in my heart. I calmed down and fervently whispered “Hallelujah” to myself, and soon after, the jack began to lower slowly.
As it was a spare tire, I was very concerned about it potentially bursting if I drove too fast (due to my limited knowledge at the time). But God comforted me once again; I encountered a traffic jam as soon as I got on the freeway and it lasted until I exited, which was near a tire shop by my workplace. I went there that same day to get the tire patched, and they didn’t even charge me!
When I shifted my focus away from these troubles and hardships, I could clearly see the comfort and guidance God provided during these difficulties and naturally found joy amidst them. God’s wonders were not yet over. One evening after work, my tire burst on the freeway, and it was dark and cold, and I was in short sleeves. But having had the previous experience, I was able to quickly change to the spare tire without panic. The previous hardship was a lesson from God, preparing me for even greater challenges ahead.
We should set a new goal: to seek God’s glory in our trials, for not only can we gain knowledge and grow from our hardships, but we can also find joy in them. Just give it a try, pray to God, “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Luke 11:10). God is faithful, a God who teaches according to our needs.
I encourage you to join our church, to seek and experience the truth of God! Below are the ten basic beliefs of our church to help you get to know us better.
https://www.tjc-chicago.org/about/basic-beliefs/
Come join us in worshipping and knowing the one True God together In our upcoming Fall Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation.
September 26-29, 2024
Thursday, September 26,2024 6:50PM to 8:10PM
Friday and Saturday, September 27-28,2024 9:00AM to 8:10PM
Sunday, September 29,2024 9:00AM to 1:00PM
Complimentary lunch and dinner will be served.
Our church’s address is as follows:
True Jesus Church
4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
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In the meantime, please feel free to join us for our regular Sabbath (Friday evening and Saturday) services online or in-person.
Friday Evening Service: 7:50PM – 9:00PM
Saturday Morning Service: 10:50AM – 12:00Noon
Saturday Afternoon Service: 1:30PM – 2:40PM
Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org