This document summarizes a discussion on dealing with difficult circumstances and maintaining faith in God even when it feels like God is absent. It provides discussion questions on looking back on difficult seasons with faith, examples of others demonstrating faith during hard times, and practical things one can do to remind themselves of God's presence. The conclusion asserts that just because God feels silent doesn't mean he is absent or unconcerned, and encourages holding onto joy, hope and the truth that God is in control even during challenges.

1. Week 1: The New Normal
Heavenly Father, I believe you will use this until you choose to remove this. Grant me wisdom to see as
you see and strength to do as you say. Amen
INTRODUCTION
What do we do when our circumstances are so challenging there’s no way forward and no way out? We
have problems for which there seem to be no solutions. We have questions without answers. During
times like these, we’re tempted to run or give up. We’re tempted to give in to jealousy, resentment, and
anger . . . especially anger toward God. That’s because when life gets hard, it feels like God is absent,
apathetic, or angry. But what if he isn’t? Is it possible to hang on to joy, hope, and patience in the
meantime?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Talk about a season of life—childhood, your teen years, college, early adulthood—that you look back
on fondly. What did you enjoy about that season?
2. Have you ever seen someone demonstrate great faith in God despite difficult circumstances? If so,
how did that person’s faith influence your own?
3. When have you faced a difficult event or season in life that caused you to feel you’d never be happy
again or that no good could come from what you were experiencing? What happened?
4. During the message, Andy asserted that God loves you regardless of whether it feels like he loves you.
How would your life be different if you lived as though you fully believed that truth?
5. Talk about a time when you felt God was absent from your life, apathetic about what you were going
through, or angry with you. How did it influence your relationship with him? What did you do?
6. If you’re currently in the middle of difficult circumstances or when you are in the future, what are
some practical things you can do to remind yourself that God hasn’t abandoned you? What role can
a Community Group play in shoring up your faith when God is silent?
MOVING FORWARD
Sometimes God is silent. Just because he’s silent. Just because he’s silent doesn’t mean he’s absent,
unconcerned, or angry. You may need to know that someday. You may need to know it today. During
challenging times, it’s easy to assume that you’ll never be happy again, no good can come from your
circumstances, or there’s no use continuing. Hold on to joy, hope, and purpose by holding on to the
truth that God still has the whole word—your world—in his hands.

2. CHANGING YOUR MIND
“Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
Matthew 11:6
Romans 8:37 – 39
New King James Version (NKJV)
37
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38
For I am persuaded
that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to
come, 39
nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall the able to separate us from the love of
God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Their final triumph, through Christ.
All things whatever, in heaven and earth, are so great a display of God’s free love, as the gift of his
coequal Son to be the atonement on the cross for the sin of man; and all the rest follows upon union
with him, and interest in him. All things, all which can be the causes or means of any real good to the
faithful Christian. He that has prepared a crown and kingdom for us will give us what we need in the way
to it. Men may justify themselves, through the accusations are in full force against them; but if God
justifies, that answers all. By Christ we are thus secured. By the merit of his death he paid our debt. Yea,
rather that has risen again. This is convincing evidence that Divine justice was satisfied. We have such a
friend at the right hand of God; all power is given to him. He is there, making intercession. Believer!
Does your soul say within you, oh that he were mine! And oh that I was his; that I could please him and
live to him! Then do not toss your spirit and perplex your thoughts in fruitless, endless doubting, but as
you are convinced of ungodliness, believe in him who justifies the ungodly. You are condemned, yet
Christ is dead and risen. Flee to him as such. God having manifested his love in giving his own son for us,
can we think that anything should turn aside or do away that love? Troubles neither cause nor show any
abatement of his love. Whatever believers may be separated from, enough remains. None can take
Christ from the believer: none can take the believer from him; and that is enough. All other hazards
signify nothing. Alas, poor sinners! Though you abound with the possessions of this world, what vain
things are they! Can you say of any of them, who shall separate us? You may be removed from pleasant
dwellings, and friends, and estates. You may even live to see and seek your parting. At last you must
part, for you must die. Then farewell, all this world accounts most valuable. And what hast thou left,
poor soul, who hast not Christ, but which thou would gladly part with, and canst not the; the
condemning guilt of all thy sins! But the soul that is in Christ, when other things are pulled away, cleaves
to Christ, and these separations pain him not. Yea, when death comes, that breaks all other unions, even
that of the soul and body, it carries the believer’s soul into the nearest union with its beloved Lord Jesus,
and full enjoyment of him forever.
Yours in Christ,
Wellknown Mositsa

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