{"id":10800,"date":"2025-03-03T23:26:33","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T05:26:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/?page_id=10800"},"modified":"2025-03-04T00:04:18","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T06:04:18","slug":"2025-spring-essc-spiritualgrowth-1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/2025-spring-essc-spiritualgrowth-1\/","title":{"rendered":"\u8b93\u6211\u5011\u4e00\u8d77\u9748\u6027\u9577\u9032 (13)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"10800\" class=\"elementor elementor-10800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-783f4d0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"783f4d0\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-67310469\" data-id=\"67310469\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26005bb5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"26005bb5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><div class=\"trp_language_switcher_shortcode\">\n<div class=\"trp-language-switcher trp-language-switcher-container\" data-no-translation >\n    <div class=\"trp-ls-shortcode-current-language\">\n        <a href=\"#\" class=\"trp-ls-shortcode-disabled-language trp-ls-disabled-language\" title=\"\u7e41\u9ad4\u4e2d\u6587\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault()\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"trp-flag-image\" src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/translatepress-multilingual\/assets\/images\/flags\/zh_TW.png\" width=\"18\" height=\"12\" alt=\"zh_TW\" title=\"\u7e41\u9ad4\u4e2d\u6587\"> \u7e41\u9ad4\u4e2d\u6587\t\t<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"trp-ls-shortcode-language\">\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"trp-ls-shortcode-disabled-language trp-ls-disabled-language\"  title=\"\u7e41\u9ad4\u4e2d\u6587\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault()\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"trp-flag-image\" src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/translatepress-multilingual\/assets\/images\/flags\/zh_TW.png\" width=\"18\" height=\"12\" alt=\"zh_TW\" title=\"\u7e41\u9ad4\u4e2d\u6587\"> \u7e41\u9ad4\u4e2d\u6587\t\t<\/a>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10800#TRPLINKPROCESSED\" title=\"English\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"trp-flag-image\" src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/translatepress-multilingual\/assets\/images\/flags\/en_US.png\" width=\"18\" height=\"12\" alt=\"en_US\" title=\"English\"> English        <\/a>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10800#TRPLINKPROCESSED\" title=\"\u7b80\u4f53\u4e2d\u6587\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"trp-flag-image\" src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/translatepress-multilingual\/assets\/images\/flags\/zh_CN.png\" width=\"18\" height=\"12\" alt=\"zh_CN\" title=\"\u7b80\u4f53\u4e2d\u6587\"> \u7b80\u4f53\u4e2d\u6587        <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <script type=\"application\/javascript\">\n        \/\/ need to have the same with set from JS on both divs. Otherwise it can push stuff around in HTML\n        var trp_ls_shortcodes = document.querySelectorAll('.trp_language_switcher_shortcode .trp-language-switcher');\n        if ( trp_ls_shortcodes.length > 0) {\n            \/\/ get the last language switcher added\n            var trp_el = trp_ls_shortcodes[trp_ls_shortcodes.length - 1];\n\n            var trp_shortcode_language_item = trp_el.querySelector( '.trp-ls-shortcode-language' )\n            \/\/ set width\n            var trp_ls_shortcode_width                                               = trp_shortcode_language_item.offsetWidth + 16;\n            trp_shortcode_language_item.style.width                                  = trp_ls_shortcode_width + 'px';\n            trp_el.querySelector( '.trp-ls-shortcode-current-language' ).style.width = trp_ls_shortcode_width + 'px';\n\n            \/\/ We're putting this on display: none after we have its width.\n            trp_shortcode_language_item.style.display = 'none';\n        }\n    <\/script>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br><br><br><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-403270f4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"403270f4\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-45c46227\" data-id=\"45c46227\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-430b8a06 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"430b8a06\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Spiritual13-EN.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" \/><\/p><p><strong><b>Picking Up the Pieces after Being Tested<\/b><\/strong><\/p><p>My car slid across the intersection and started spinning like a top. \u00a0It was like a scene from a movie where cars were either power sliding or drifting. \u00a0Time suspended; a whirl of white snow scattered. \u00a0Then I hit the curb.<\/p><p>It was a long time ago\u2014my first encounter with driving in the snow. \u00a0Being an inexperienced driver in the snow, I let my instincts take over\u2014jamming the brakes, jerking the wheel.<\/p><p>It was the exact opposite of what I should have done: foot off the gas, steer into the slide. \u00a0And, most importantly, no brakes.<\/p><p>That\u2019s an analogy here for us amid personal struggles, job challenges, relationship dilemmas, spiritual battles\u2014and everything else we don\u2019t anticipate. \u00a0At the same time, the world keeps sending so much change our way\u2014seemingly with no breaks.<\/p><p>The problem is that, whenever something unexpected happens and we feel overwhelmed, human nature tends to go to the extremes\u2014overreacting, overcorrecting, oversteering.<\/p><p>So how do we pick up the pieces when our life spins out of control? \u00a0<\/p><p><strong><b>What is the point behind the tests that we face in life?<\/b><\/strong><\/p><p><em><i>\u201cMy brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. \u00a0\u00a0But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing\u201d<\/i><\/em>\u00a0(James 1:2-4)<\/p><p>God tests our <strong><b>faith <\/b><\/strong>to help us see our weaknesses. \u00a0Without tests, we can\u2019t see it and if we can\u2019t see our weaknesses then we can\u2019t <strong><b>grow.<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Testing of faith produces steadfastness. \u00a0Tests forces us to change and to produce something we didn\u2019t have before. \u00a0When we pass the test, we <strong><b>become perfect.<\/b><\/strong><\/p><p>God\u2019s test reveals <strong><b>what\u2019s most important in our heart<\/b><\/strong>. \u00a0Is our job or career more important than God? \u00a0Being laid off or facing the fear of losing a job is a common threat especially for older workers. \u00a0It is reasonable to pray hard to God for another job. \u00a0It is a test of our faith to rely on Him. \u00a0But the test does not end when we get the job we prayed for. \u00a0Just like Abraham was tested when God asked Abraham to sacrifice the only son whom he loved, that God gave him when he was 100 years old. \u00a0<\/p><p>Are we willing to sacrifice the time, relationship, prospects of promotion tied to our career for the sake of obeying God and putting Him first? \u00a0Can we overcome the temptations of success in our career?<\/p><p>God trusted God when He promised Abraham that many nations would be born from his beloved son.<\/p><p>If our answer is no, then more tests will keep coming until we get it. \u00a0If our answer is yes, then we will see His provisions.<\/p><p>\u201c<em><i>And Abraham said, &#8220;My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.&#8221; So, the two of them went together.\u2019<\/i><\/em>\u00a0(Genesis 22:8)<\/p><p>\u201c<em><i>Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So, Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.<\/i><\/em><\/p><p><em><i>And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, &#8220;In the Mount of The Lord it shall be provided.&#8221;<\/i><\/em>\u00a0\u00a0(Genesis 22:13-14)<\/p><p>The Lord has already provided for us! \u00a0God wants to test to see if we fear Him and put Him first in our life. \u00a0We must give our best to God, not the leftovers.<\/p><p>God can give, take away and give it back. \u00a0<\/p><p><em><i>\u201cBy faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, &#8220;In Isaac your seed shall be called,&#8221; concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.\u201d<\/i><\/em>\u00a0\u00a0(Hebrews 11:17-19)<\/p><p><strong><b>How do we pick up the Pieces?<\/b><\/strong><\/p><p>To heal and recover, we need to believe in His promises, <a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2025-spring-essc-overarching-1\/\"><u>trust and have faith<\/u><\/a>\u00a0in Him. \u00a0We need to shift our gears to neutral vs. jamming on our brakes otherwise we spin out of control and overreact. \u00a0Just for a moment. \u00a0Pause to reflect on His love for us, the second chance for us to reflect, repent, reset and renew in Him.<\/p><p>When we <strong><b>reflect,<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0<strong><b>repent <\/b><\/strong>and grow in His ways, we find greater meaning and acknowledge the past, accept the present and project into the future. \u00a0Repenting our sins is more than saying I\u2019m sorry. \u00a0It takes surrendering ourselves\u2014including the bad habits, and asking for forgiveness. \u00a0Only through reflection and repenting on who we are being and who we want to become can we offer help, elevate hope and shine into the future.<\/p><p><strong><b>Resetting and Renewing.<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0We put our new self into action and our purpose into practice. \u00a0That\u2019s succession. \u00a0This is where our renewed self truly shows\u2026what is most important in our heart is God. \u00a0Not our job, our loved ones or wealth. \u00a0Renewing is a lifelong pursuit.<\/p><p>Indeed, from time to time, we must give ourselves a pause to pick up the pieces. \u00a0But in the end, we have to move forward, grow and lead others to God. \u00a0For Faith is the Victory.<\/p><p><em><i>\u201cFor whatever is born of God overcomes the world. \u00a0And this is the victory that has overcome the world\u2014our faith.\u201d<\/i><\/em>\u00a0\u00a0(1 John 5:4)<\/p><p><strong><b>Join Us and Grow Spiritually<\/b><\/strong><\/p><p>We warmly invite you to our upcoming Spring 2025 Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation (ESSC)\u2014a time of worship, fellowship, and deepening our trust and faith in God. \u00a0Bring your family and friends as we learn how to create a Christ-centered life at home, work and beyond. \u00a0Save the date\u2014we look forward to seeing you!\u00a0<\/p><p>Thursday, April 17, 2025 6:50PM to 8:10PM<br \/>Friday and Saturday, April 18-19, 2025 9:00AM to 8:10PM<br \/>Sunday, April 20, 2025 9:00AM to 1:00PM<\/p><p>Please find our church location below:<\/p><p><strong>4N550 Church Road<br \/>Bensenville,\u00a0IL\u00a060106<br \/><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/True+Jesus+Church+Chicago\/@41.945266,-87.9536702,18.39z\/data=!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x880fb39f5fbd433d:0x72d82c41e185bf3e!2s4+S+Church+Rd,+Bensenville,+IL+60106!3b1!8m2!3d41.9448745!4d-87.9534209!3m5!1s0x880fb3a1e4e2dd49:0xd44299b704de1192!8m2!3d41.9453743!4d-87.9533863!16s%2Fg%2F1tdn02z1?hl=en\"><strong>\u00a0Google Maps<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>In the meantime, please feel free to join us for our regular Sabbath (Friday evening and Saturday)\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/service\/live-sabbath-service\/\">services online<\/a>\u00a0or in-person.<\/p><p>Friday Evening Service:\u00a0 7:50PM \u2013 9:00PM<\/p><p>Saturday Morning Service:\u00a0 10:50AM \u2013 12:00Noon<\/p><p>Saturday Afternoon Service:\u00a0 1:30PM \u2013 2:40PM<\/p><p>Email us at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org\">ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3c9a26f8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3c9a26f8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-438282b8\" data-id=\"438282b8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3fb2dbd3 elementor-align-center elementor-button-success elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"3fb2dbd3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2024-fall-essc-spiritualgrowth-2\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Find Spiritual Growth with Us (11) <\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e57460c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3e57460c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2024-fall-essc-spiritualgrowth-2\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"622\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024F_Wave2_SpiritualGrowth_EN-1024x663.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9392\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024F_Wave2_SpiritualGrowth_EN-1024x663.jpeg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024F_Wave2_SpiritualGrowth_EN-300x194.jpeg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024F_Wave2_SpiritualGrowth_EN-768x497.jpeg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024F_Wave2_SpiritualGrowth_EN-18x12.jpeg 18w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024F_Wave2_SpiritualGrowth_EN.jpeg 1274w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3366c361\" data-id=\"3366c361\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5088fd7d elementor-align-center elementor-button-success elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"5088fd7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2024-fall-essc-spiritualgrowth-3\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Find Spiritual Growth with Us (12) <\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-461c902d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"461c902d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2024-fall-essc-spiritualgrowth-3\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"639\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024F_Wave3_SpiritualGrowth_EN-1024x682.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9859\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024F_Wave3_SpiritualGrowth_EN-1024x682.png 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024F_Wave3_SpiritualGrowth_EN-300x200.png 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024F_Wave3_SpiritualGrowth_EN-768x512.png 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024F_Wave3_SpiritualGrowth_EN-18x12.png 18w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024F_Wave3_SpiritualGrowth_EN.png 1274w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-509c2fdb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"509c2fdb\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6beccdc2\" data-id=\"6beccdc2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-30798ec6\" data-id=\"30798ec6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d9d9685 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"3d9d9685\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-size-sm\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-ellipsis-h\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b> More to come<\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-516ee06a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"516ee06a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-40f44563\" data-id=\"40f44563\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c0cc10f elementor-align-center elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-button-info elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"1c0cc10f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/overarching-message-on-your-needs-in-life\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-envelope\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Your Needs in Life<\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-59604704\" data-id=\"59604704\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2022c13b elementor-button-info elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"2022c13b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/physical-wellness\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-bed\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Physical Wellness<\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-68578747\" data-id=\"68578747\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e737b4 elementor-align-center elementor-button-info elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"6e737b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/peace-and-love\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-heart\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Peace &amp; Love<\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4f24f90\" data-id=\"4f24f90\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b7bc1c7 elementor-align-center elementor-button-info elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"2b7bc1c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/college-and-career\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-id-badge\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>College &amp; Career<\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-75b9236c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"75b9236c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-20a70e0a\" data-id=\"20a70e0a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d8739be elementor-align-center elementor-button-info elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"2d8739be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/truth-about-god\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-eye\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Truth about God<\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-620925cd\" data-id=\"620925cd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-671a6871 elementor-align-center elementor-button-info elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"671a6871\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/life-balance\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-balance-scale\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Life Balance<\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-744f5ebb\" data-id=\"744f5ebb\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41d5b355 elementor-align-center elementor-button-info elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"41d5b355\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/family-balance\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-home\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Family Balance<\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-532b2fe6\" data-id=\"532b2fe6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f89e9f4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f89e9f4\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a9b79c6\" data-id=\"a9b79c6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99ee6a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-toggle\" data-id=\"99ee6a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"toggle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1611\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1611\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Previous Articles (click me to show list)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1611\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1611\"><h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2024-fall-essc-spiritualgrowth-3\/\">Find Spiritual Growth with Us (12)<\/a><\/h4><h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2024-fall-essc-spiritualgrowth-2\/\">Find Spiritual Growth with Us (11)<\/a><\/h4><h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2024-fall-essc-spiritualgrowth-1\/\">Find Spiritual Growth with Us (10)<\/a><\/h4><h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2024-spring-essc-spiritualgrowth-3\">Find Spiritual Growth with Us (9)<\/a><\/h4><h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2024-spring-essc-spiritualgrowth-2\">Find Spiritual Growth with Us (8)<\/a><\/h4><h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2024-spring-essc-spiritualgrowth-1\">Find Spiritual Growth with Us (7)<\/a><\/h4><h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/spiritual-growth-6\">Find Spiritual Growth with Us (6)<\/a><\/h4><h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/spiritual-growth-5\">Find Spiritual Growth with Us (5)<\/a><\/h4><h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/spiritual-growth-4\">Find Spiritual Growth with Us (4)<\/a><\/h4><h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/spiritual-growth-3\">Find Spiritual Growth with Us (3)<\/a><\/h4><h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/spiritual-growth-2\">Find Spiritual Growth with Us (2)<\/a><\/h4><h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/spiritual-growth-1\">Find Spiritual Growth with Us (1)<\/a><\/h4><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4b97ad41 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4b97ad41\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2df110d1\" data-id=\"2df110d1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2338988f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2338988f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2025-spring-essc-spiritualgrowth-1-ia-1\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"780\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Spiritual13-ia1-EN.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-10770\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Spiritual13-ia1-EN.jpg 780w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Spiritual13-ia1-EN-300x300.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Spiritual13-ia1-EN-150x150.jpg 150w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Spiritual13-ia1-EN-768x768.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Spiritual13-ia1-EN-12x12.jpg 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22624d43 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"22624d43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Faith is tested not for God&#8217;s sake, but for ours\u2014so we can see where we truly stand. James 1:2-4 teaches that trials strengthen our faith, producing endurance and maturity. Abraham\u2019s greatest test came in Genesis 22 when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, his beloved son. It was a test of faith, not love. Would Abraham trust God\u2019s promise even when it seemed impossible?<\/p><p>Like Abraham, our greatest tests often come unexpectedly, whether in hardship or when life is going well. Sometimes, what we love most\u2014career, family, security\u2014becomes our &#8220;Isaac.&#8221; But will we surrender it to God?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-45b7ab99\" data-id=\"45b7ab99\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f816ef elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6f816ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2025-spring-essc-spiritualgrowth-1-ia-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Spiritual13-ia2-EN.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-10779\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Spiritual13-ia2-EN.jpg 940w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Spiritual13-ia2-EN-300x251.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Spiritual13-ia2-EN-768x644.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Spiritual13-ia2-EN-14x12.jpg 14w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22715915 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"22715915\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Life\u2019s challenges, such as job loss, can be daunting, especially for older workers. However, faith in God provides the strength to overcome fear and uncertainty. While trusting in God\u2019s promises, we must also take proactive steps to improve ourselves.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f534f09\" data-id=\"f534f09\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12a1094c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"12a1094c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2025-spring-essc-spiritualgrowth-1-ia-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"817\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Spiritual13-ia3-EN.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-10788\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Spiritual13-ia3-EN.jpg 1018w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Spiritual13-ia3-EN-300x255.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Spiritual13-ia3-EN-768x653.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Spiritual13-ia3-EN-14x12.jpg 14w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd1f87e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cd1f87e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong><b>The Mandatory Course of Our Faith \u2013 Temptation and Trial<\/b><\/strong><\/p><p>Temptation and trials are an unavoidable part of the Christian journey\u2014<strong><b>they are not electives but mandatory courses in faith<\/b><\/strong>. Just as students must pass required courses to graduate, believers must face and overcome temptations in order to grow spiritually.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Picking Up the Pieces after Being Tested My car slid across the intersection and started spinning like a top. \u00a0It was like a scene from a movie where cars were either power sliding or drifting. \u00a0Time suspended; a whirl of white snow scattered. \u00a0Then I hit the curb. It was a long time ago\u2014my first [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10800","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-06 09:24:07","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":""},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10800"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10800"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10800\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10804,"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10800\/revisions\/10804"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}