When was the last time you had space to feel?

With the National Trust, you might just find life standing still under towering trees.

Maybe you'll find connection among the stories of the past,

or a moment to disconnect from it all on a mountainside.

Whatever you're feeling, wherever you are, with the

National Trust, you can make space to feel. Good morning. Welcome to the morning

motivation. I'm Mike Slater. Thanks for being here. This week, we're talking about suffering. What is the Christian response to suffering? Last week, the morning motivation was

a run-through of different world, religions, and worldviews. And their answer to suffering this

week, it's the Christian response to suffering. We'll start with Isaiah 43. God says,

when you pass through the waters, I'll be with you. And through the rivers,

they will not overflow you. When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame

burn you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. What's interesting here is,

God does not promise no waters and no rivers and no floods and no fire.

He just promises he'll be there throughout it. He promises his grace. And that's point number

four today. So just to review, number one, this is again, the Christian response to suffering.

Number one, God uses suffering to reveal our spiritual condition. That was on

Monday. Secondly, God uses suffering to humble us. Third, God uses suffering to draw us to him.

Number four, God uses suffering to display his grace. What is grace? Greek word used in the Bible

one, excuse me, the New Testament, 155 times. And the Greek word here has this idea of a generous gift that is given.

But there's another element to it in the Bible.

It is a gift given by God to people who are totally undeserving of it.

That's the key element.

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