You're Not Suffering. Here's What's Really Happening. episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 23, 2026 · 59 MIN

You're Not Suffering. Here's What's Really Happening.

from APOC Ministry · host Eric Thomas Ph.D.

You've been calling it suffering. You've been calling it surrender. Pastor Eric Thomas says it's neither — and what's actually happening might be the most important thing you hear all year. In Part 3 of the Royal Airlines series, Pastor ET delivers a message that will challenge everything you thought you knew about obedience, people pleasing, and following God's plan. Using the story of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15, he exposes the real reason most Christians stay stuck — not confusion, not weakness, but two competing wills. Yours and God's. If you've ever people-pleased your way out of a blessing, let people's voices drown out God's direction, or found yourself wondering why obedience and people pleasing feel identical — this message is for you. The flight plan is already written. The question is whether you'll follow it. In this message you'll discover: Why "surrender" isn't a real problem — and what the real issue actually is The dangerous difference between people pleasing and true obedience to God How to stop people pleasing when it feels like the right thing to do What King Saul's biggest mistake reveals about our own relationship with God A practical tool to help you know whether you're obeying God or just people pleasing Why people pleasing is actually hurting the people you're trying to help CHAPTERS: Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome: The Gift of Today 00:02:23 There's No Such Thing as Suffering or Surrender 00:05:30 Surrender Only Exists When There's Conflict 00:06:55 You Want to Quit, God Says Stay 00:08:38 You Want Revenge, God Says Forgive 00:10:43 You Want Comfort, God Wants You to Grow 00:12:27 Your Will Versus His Will: The Real Battle 00:15:41 God Doesn't Pay You to Think or Feel 00:16:01 First Samuel 15: When You Were Little in Your Own Sight 00:17:26 The Command: Destroy Everything, No Exceptions 00:21:18 The People Made Me Do It: Saul's Excuse 00:22:25 When God Gives, He Also Gives Instructions 00:24:19 Rebellion Is as the Sin of Witchcraft 00:36:56 You Only Destroyed the Bad Stuff 00:41:49 To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 00:46:07 False Repentance: Honor Me Before the People 00:49:34 What Surrender Really Looks Like 00:51:43 Five Wills That Fight Against God's Will 00:52:09 Prayer for Men: Use Your Influence for God's Will 00:54:21 Prayer for Women: Support the Will of God 00:56:00 Prayer for Children: Stop Following the Internet 00:58:11 Next Steps: Connect, Give, and Share ✅ Subscribe and turn on notifications — new messages every Saturday: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRzMQFmplNd4-H1X5bj1jA?sub_confirmation=1 📲 Follow us on Instagram: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/apocministry_/ 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apoc-ministry/id1448489948 🎧 Stream on Spotify: 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/7MSRcKb31rzblPxPpvM5WF?si=5541166622814a17 💛 Support the Mission If today's message moved you, consider partnering with A Place of Change Ministry. Your generosity fuels our weekly services, community outreach, and our ability to reach people around the world through this channel. Every gift — no matter the size — makes a difference. 👉 Give at: apocministry.org/give About A Place of Change Ministry (APOC) A Place of Change Ministry is a church community in Grand Ledge, Michigan, committed to helping people love God, grow in faith, and serve others. We believe the church isn't just a building — it's a movement. Join us live every Saturday at 11 AM ET, right here on YouTube. 📱 Download the APOC App: Search "APOC Ministry" in your app store 🌐 Website: apocministry.org

You've been calling it suffering. You've been calling it surrender. Pastor Eric Thomas says it's neither — and what's actually happening might be the most important thing you hear all year. In Part 3 of the Royal Airlines series, Pastor ET delivers a message that will challenge everything you thought you knew about obedience, people pleasing, and following God's plan. Using the story of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15, he exposes the real reason most Christians stay stuck — not confusion, not weakness, but two competing wills. Yours and God's. If you've ever people-pleased your way out of a blessing, let people's voices drown out God's direction, or found yourself wondering why obedience and people pleasing feel identical — this message is for you. The flight plan is already written. The question is whether you'll follow it. In this message you'll discover: Why "surrender" isn't a real problem — and what the real issue actually is The dangerous difference between people pleasing and true obedience to God How to stop people pleasing when it feels like the right thing to do What King Saul's biggest mistake reveals about our own relationship with God A practical tool to help you know whether you're obeying God or just people pleasing Why people pleasing is actually hurting the people you're trying to help CHAPTERS: Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome: The Gift of Today 00:02:23 There's No Such Thing as Suffering or Surrender 00:05:30 Surrender Only Exists When There's Conflict 00:06:55 You Want to Quit, God Says Stay 00:08:38 You Want Revenge, God Says Forgive 00:10:43 You Want Comfort, God Wants You to Grow 00:12:27 Your Will Versus His Will: The Real Battle 00:15:41 God Doesn't Pay You to Think or Feel 00:16:01 First Samuel 15: When You Were Little in Your Own Sight 00:17:26 The Command: Destroy Everything, No Exceptions 00:21:18 The People Made Me Do It: Saul's Excuse 00:22:25 When God Gives, He Also Gives Instructions 00:24:19 Rebellion Is as the Sin of Witchcraft 00:36:56 You Only Destroyed the Bad Stuff 00:41:49 To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 00:46:07 False Repentance: Honor Me Before the People 00:49:34 What Surrender Really Looks Like 00:51:43 Five Wills That Fight Against God's Will 00:52:09 Prayer for Men: Use Your Influence for God's Will 00:54:21 Prayer for Women: Support the Will of God 00:56:00 Prayer for Children: Stop Following the Internet 00:58:11 Next Steps: Connect, Give, and Share ✅ Subscribe and turn on notifications — new messages every Saturday: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRzMQFmplNd4-H1X5bj1jA?sub_confirmation=1 📲 Follow us on Instagram: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/apocministry_/ 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apoc-ministry/id1448489948 🎧 Stream on Spotify: 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/7MSRcKb31rzblPxPpvM5WF?si=5541166622814a17 💛 Support the Mission If today's message moved you, consider partnering with A Place of Change Ministry. Your generosity fuels our weekly services, community outreach, and our ability to reach people around the world through this channel. Every gift — no matter the size — makes a difference. 👉 Give at: apocministry.org/give About A Place of Change Ministry (APOC) A Place of Change Ministry is a church community in Grand Ledge, Michigan, committed to helping people love God, grow in faith, and serve others. We believe the church isn't just a building — it's a movement. Join us live every Saturday at 11 AM ET, right here on YouTube. 📱 Download the APOC App: Search "APOC Ministry" in your app store 🌐 Website: apocministry.org

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You're Not Suffering. Here's What's Really Happening.

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Stories of Hope The Dream Center Want to hear some good news and incredible stories of life transformation? Stories of Hope is a podcast produced by The Dream Center in Easley, South Carolina where you will learn about real-life stories connected to our ministry. These stories are so powerful that the redeeming love of Christ is undeniable. Join us and be encouraged...there is HOPE. We are so grateful for the outpouring of support for Stories of Hope. Season 5 of Stories of Hope releases every Thursday!Visit our website at dreamcenterpc.org for more information.Follow us on Facebook :@dreamcenterpcFollow us on Instagram:@dreamcenterpc Rethinking Youth Ministry | A podcast for youth ministry leaders, pastors, volunteers, and anyone who cares about students OrangeStudents.com The Rethinking Youth Ministry Podcast is for youth ministry leaders, pastors, volunteers, workers, and anyone who cares about middle school and high school students. Each episode, we hope to raise the bar for youth ministry by asking questions, interviewing thinkers, and having real, honest conversations about what it looks like to lead the next generation. Rethinking Youth Ministry is a podcast from the Orange Students team. Our mission is to help you, the youth leader, influence the next generation. We do that through this podcast, other resources, and our weekly curriculum, XP3. If you'd like to learn more, check out OrangeStudents.com. Whole Faith Marcus & Jessa Myer Welcome to The Whole Faith Podcast, where we go deep into the things of God. We're your hosts, Marcus and Jessa Myer - a husband-and-wife team passionate about pursuing and telling the Truth. The more we study Scripture, the more we experience the ever-growing joy and pleasure found only in Jesus. We’ve been doing ministry together for the past 15 years, and one thing we’ve seen over and over again is that so many of our brothers and sisters in Christ are desperately hungry for a deeper teaching of God’s Word. In each episode, we explore theology, doctrine, and practical wisdom that every believer should have the confidence to pursue. Join us as we uncover essential truths from Scripture and tackle difficult, sometimes controversial questions to provide you with biblical answers. Where the Enemy wants to keep the Church in a place of shallow faith and theological insecurity, our hope is that these conversations will equip you with boldness and assurance! Now, let’s grow deeper together Word Online: Series 7 - The Transfiguration & the end of the Galilean ministry Word Online There is a dramatic change in the life of Jesus as this point. He takes his disciples away for a private time together which leads to the amazing event of the Transfiguration. This is a turning point. The Galilean ministry is at an end. Jesus is going to leave Galilee and head south towards Jerusalem for the final and much shorter part of his ministry which will lead ultimately to his death and resurrection.

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This episode is 59 minutes long.

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This episode was published on March 23, 2026.

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You've been calling it suffering. You've been calling it surrender. Pastor Eric Thomas says it's neither — and what's actually happening might be the most important thing you hear all year. In Part 3 of the Royal Airlines series, Pastor ET delivers...

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