Matthew 5:4: Weeping in Suffering (The Discipline of Suffering)

Welcome to our 2nd sermon in our series on walking with God through pain and suffering. (2 of 3)

Normally, every January, we take time to focus on various spiritual disciplines that we can re-commit to practicing throughout the year. Spiritual disciplines and practices are not "goals to accomplish," although certainly feeling a measure of joy in starting and sustaining times of prayer and fasting is worthy of celebrating. Spiritual disciplines are strategies toward reaching the goal, and that goal is to know and trust and be more and more conformed to the image of Jesus.

Culturally, we are simply ill-equipped to walk confidently, yet humbly with God in times of suffering. This doesn't just affect our trust and walk with God in difficult situations, it affects our view and trust of God in ALL of life. So, to begin this year, we'll take a few weeks to examine the regular practices and habits of walking with God through pain and suffering and toward deep, transformational, long lasting hope.