How to Receive God's Gift of Confidence // Following Jesus with Confidence, Part 2

<p>When we’re travelling through times of great trial, the first thing that springs to mind is that we must have done something wrong. Maybe … but as I read my Bible, what I discover is that pretty much all the great things that God has done, have been birthed out of times of trial.</p> <p> </p> <h4 class="p1"><span class="s1" style="color: #ff9900;">1. Hannah’s Pain</span></h4> <p class="p2">Hannah’s story from the old testament is one that absolutely touches my heart each and every time that I read with it. It’s a powerful story of a woman in some considerable distress.</p> <p class="p2">We’ve been programmed these days, that life – our lives in particular – should be filled with success. But the last time I checked, that’s not always the case. And the times when we really need to be able to trust in Jesus with great confidence, aren’t the easy times, they're the tough times.</p> <p class="p2">The Bible knows little if anything about worldly success. God’s plan for you and me isn’t a life of comfort and compromise, but one of sacrifice and suffering. That’s exactly what Jesus promised us, when He spoke to some would–be followers:</p> <p class="p3" style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. A scribe then approached and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead. (Matthew 8:18–22)</em></p> <p class="p2">Now, we’re going to go a lot deeper with this – it’s one thing to hear someone – even Jesus – talking <em>about</em> this idea that following Him often means an uncomfortable journey, but it’s another thing entirely to see this principle in action. That’s why today, we’re going to spend some time with Hannah – so that you and I can discover the secret of h