The Power to Choose the Direction of Momentum When Suffering or Afflicted

This morning I desire to begin to change a common paradigm regarding the response to suffering and affliction! In the human experience suffering and struggles are seemingly every present in everyone's life. People often respond and cope with these painful experience with anger, frustration, discouragement, depression, or apathy, with a sense of hopelessness. This morning I desire to offer a mindset for growth and maturity when experiencing suffering, affliction, and trauma in life. Our attitudes towards trials and afflictions are often negative, but what if we become more responsible in how we use God's Scriptural standard for our responses? The word responsible is actually two words. If we say we are responsible we are actually saying we have the power of choice and the ability to respond to any life situation or circumstance in a proper and Christ-like manner. During the sermon today we will define the terms I am using for this year's theme. Next, I we will examine the importance of our mindset and attitudes that have shaped our responses in the past and how to now view suffering, affliction, and trauma, from a Christ-like perspective or paradigm.