God
Even When Life Hurts
JERRY BRIDGES
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© 1998 by Jerry Bridges
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ISBN 08910-96175
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations in this publication are from the Holy Bible: New International Version (NIV), 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. Another version used is The New Testament in Modern English (PH), J.B. Phillips Translator, © J.B. Phillips 1958, 1960, 1972, used by permission of Macmillan Publishing Company.
Bridges, Jerry.
Trusting God/Jerry Bridges
215p.; 24cm.
Includes bibliographical refernces.
ISBN 08910-96175
1. Providence and government of God. 2. Trust in God.
231.4B85lt
4. God’s Sovereignty Over People
5. God’s Rule Over the Nations
7. God’s Sovereignty and Our Responsibility
11. Trusting God for Who You Are
Kathy and Dan,
who have brought me
much joy as a father.
When I was fourteen years old, my mother died suddenly, without warning. I was in the adjoining room and rushed in just in time to see her gasp her last breath. I was stunned and devastated. My older brother was away at school, and my dad was too stricken with grief himself to be able to help me. Worst of all, I did not know how to turn to God in times of trouble. I was alone in my adversity.
That was not the first time adversity had struck in my life, and it was certainly not to be the last. As the Scripture says, “Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7). All of us experience adversity at different times and in varying degrees throughout our lives.
Learning to trust God in adversity has been a slow and difficult process for me. It is a process that is ...
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About Trusting GodWhy is it easier to obey God than to trust him? Because obeying God makes sense to us. In most cases His laws appear reasonable and wise, and even when we don't want to obey them, we usually concede that they are good for us. But the circumstances we find ourselves in often defy explanation. When unexpected situations arise that appear unjust, irrational, or even dreadful, we feel confused and frustrated. And before long we begin to doubt God's concern for us or His control over our lives. Adversity is hard to endure, and can be even harder to understand. If God were really in control, why would He allow a tragic auto accident or a crucial job loss? How could He permit cancer in a loved one or the death of a child? Grappling with His concern for us we ask, "Why is God allowing this?" or "What have I done wrong?" In an effort to strengthen his own trust in God during a time of adversity, Jerry Bridges began a lengthy Bible study on the topic of God's sovereignty. What he learned changed his life, and he now shares the fruit of that study with you in Trusting God As you begin to explore the scope of God's power over nations, nature, and the detailed lives of individuals, you'll begin to acknowledge His loving control. And as you come to know Him better, you'll find yourself trusting Him more completely. Even when life hurts. |
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