Start by reciting or singing our scripture:
Job 19:25: know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
Assign scriptures:
- Philippians 4:6–7,
- Psalm 46:1,
- Matthew 11:28
- Job 38:4 , Job 38:24, Job 39: 27
- Job 40:3
Recap last week
– Context of our scripture: Job’s words in the midst of a terrible season in his life. He praised God amidst his struggles.
– Ask: Name things that you struggle with. Ie: Depression, loss, frustration, bullying, anxiety, issues about our sexuality, body image, rejection, relationships
– When was the last time you praised God in the middle of these things?
2. Should we only come to God with Praise? No, Job also came to God with his struggles – he questioned God.
– God desires that we come to him in prayer and petition:
– Read: Philippians 4:6–7, Psalm 46:1, Matthew 11:28
3. Job went one step farther and demanded answers:
– This was where God response was to remind God of His sovereignty.
– Read: Job 38:4 Job 38:24 Job 39: 27. These verses were meant to assure Job of God’s sovereignty.
How does knowing what God is capable help us through our suffering?
Job’s answer: Job 40:3
4. What we learn from this exchange: It’s okay to come to God in humility with our pain and petitions and needs, but we must submit to Him, acknowledging that He is the author and source of peace and hope itself.
– This is where praise comes in. Praise is the act of surrender. Praise changes our hearts about our situation, about the people that frustrate us.
– There is a superpower in coming to God not just in our need, but also in our praise of him. When we “speak His praises more loudly than our woes – we remind our hearts, mind and the community around us, that God is our Redeemer – not us, not our friends, not our doctors, not even our extensive research on Google. “
– Praising God is saying “I trust you” and that’s something we often forget to do.
– We often praise God when we sing in church or other places. But we often forget to praise God with our speech or prayers? Think about it in your own life. What if your mom or dad constantly asked things of you, but never said “You are wonderful. You are capable. I trust you and love you.”
-This week, focus on transforming your prayers, your struggles into praise.
—— Discussion Questions —
1. Have you ever felt like you needed an explanation from God before you could trust Him? What happened when you didn’t get the explanation you wanted?
2. Where do you tend to rely on your own “wisdom” instead of God’s? For example: research, planning, control, other people’s opinions, money, doctors, relationships, or simply trying harder?
3. What is the difference between praising God because everything is going well and praising God because God is still God when everything is going badly?
4. What is one “why” question you may need to release to God—even if you never receive the answer you want?
Weekly Challenge: “Turning Struggles into Praise”
For the next week, use this template.
Each day, write down:
* One “struggle”: Something you’re worried about, frustrated by, grieving, confused about, or asking God to change.
* One truth about God: Something you know about God even though you don’t understand your circumstances.
* One praise: A sentence of gratitude or worship directed toward God that pertains to that truth.
For example:
Struggle: I don’t think my best friend and I will ever reconcile.
Truth: God can heal all hearts, nothing is impossible for God.
Praise: My Redeemer lives, and I am not carrying this alone.
At the end of the week, ask yourself: Did anything change—not necessarily in my circumstances, but in my perspective?
The goal isn’t to pretend everything is okay. It’s to practice letting God’s character have the final word, rather than allowing our circumstances to have it.