Stories of Struggle | Dont Waste the Waiting

If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthlyStories of Struggle: The Pathway Through is a 10-week series where we look at real people in Scripture who faced fear, rejection, waiting, and more—and how God led them through. Discover how He meets us in our struggles and leads us forward with faith, courage, and purpose.To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/In this message titled "Don't Waste the Waiting," Pastor Rick Long explores the life of Joseph from the Old Testament to teach listeners how to find purpose during seasons of delay, struggle, and uncertainty. He emphasizes that for Christians, periods of waiting are not evidence of abandonment, but rather proof of divine preparation (9:02-9:21).Key Themes from Joseph's Life:• God Gives a Promise (13:06 - 24:00): Just as Joseph had dreams of leadership before his trials began, God often reveals a destination before showing the process. The pastor encourages viewers to hold onto God's promises even when the path is difficult.• God Develops Character in the Pit (24:11 - 31:12): The "pit" represents seasons of betrayal, rejection, and confusion. Pastor Rick clarifies that these moments are discipline and preparation, not punishment, meant to remove pride and shape one's character for future influence.• Endurance in Obscurity (31:14 - 44:00): Whether serving in Potiphar's house or prison, Joseph succeeded because the Lord was with him. The message highlights that faithfulness in small, mundane tasks is the prerequisite for greater responsibility.• Full Dependence on God (44:00 - 51:08): Through imprisonment and being forgotten, Joseph learned to rely entirely on God rather than his own circumstances or plans.• The Ultimate Purpose (51:10 - 57:00): Eventually, Joseph is elevated to the right hand of Pharaoh to save his family and the nation. The pastor connects this to the life of Jesus, who also endured suffering to offer salvation to many.Core Takeaway:God never wastes a hurt or a season of waiting. If you are currently in a "pit," a season of waiting, or a difficult job, the message encourages you to change your perspective: God is preparing you for something greater than you can currently imagine.At the end of the service, the pastor invites those who have not accepted Jesus to make that decision (58:55-1:01:13) and shares updates regarding the church's Forge Fury Classic golf tournament (1:01:46-1:03:0:00 Welcome and Announcements0:40 Introduction to the Series: Stories of Struggle3:14 Defining "Don't Waste the Waiting"10:57 The Life of Joseph: A Journey Through Seasons13:04 1. God Gives a Promise24:10 2. God Develops Character in the Pit31:12 3. God Builds Endurance (Potiphar’s House)43:56 4. God Teaches Full Dependence (Prison)51:10 5. God Reveals the Ultimate Purpose (Palace)58:55 Gospel Invitation and Conclusion1:01:13 Ministry Updates and Closing