40: Enduring Hardships

James tells us, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials". It doesn't say if you fall into trials, but when you fall into them. Hardships are a part of life that every Christian must endure. There is hope and it is found in Scripture. When you counsel those who deal with hardships and trials we must communicate that hope is found in the Word. God will continue to help you grow and learn about his sovereignty. As Christians we must first understand that God works all things together for our good. As we counsel others we must show empathy in order to direct those we counsel to the divine plan that God is orchestrating.  God is always at work and we don't always see what He is doing. When we ask why we are suffering, there needs to be an understanding that God is ultimately going to use all things for His divine plan. We can rejoice in our sufferings because He is using us for His glory. We must be content in our sufferings because there is nothing in this world that can separate us from God.  In this episode Jeff interviews Joe Propri to talk about enduring hardships and how to overcome hardships. There are ways that we can counsel others through hardships.  Get started on the right foot with your Biblical Counseling Training. The Biblical Counseling Academy is now enrolling: https://www.jeffchristianson.com/CounselorCertificationEarly