2020 truly feels like it's been the worst year ever. But how does God work in the middle of our suffering and struggles?

Is our suffering pointless? Does it simply result in hurt feelings and lost time?

This week, we take a look at the story of Job, and learn that God is working even amidst our suffering.

Let's face it- 2020 feels like it's been the worst year ever. It's been full of challenges, divisions, and lots of changes.

How do we remain thankful in hard times? How do we close out the worst year ever with hope for the future?

We'll see what the Bible has to say about facing adversity with hope!

We've spent the last few weeks talking about Jesus' teaching on worry in Matthew 6.

This week, we turn to the Old Testament for an example of when one man of God began to give in to his worry.

The prophet Elijah ran from his calling out of worry, but God called him back through faith.

In Matthew 6, Jesus spoke about worry, and how important it is for us to set our focus on God.

These weren't just fancy words to get our attention. Jesus was revealing truth, and a challenge to our worried minds:

Seek God first. He'll take care of the rest.

Worry, worry, worry. It's an easy thing to do, especially in times such as these.

Jesus knew that we would face worry. That's why, when he taught about worry, he made an important statement:

God doesn't want you to worry, he wants you to trust in Him.

Ruth 4 finally brings our story to a happy ending, but not without a few final plot twists.

Ruth had to trust Boaz to resolve a family matter preventing their marriage, and Boaz had to risk losing Ruth to another.

But God had a plan to resolve the story in a way that would lead not just to His glory, but all the way to Jesus.

Ruth 3 tells the story of a risky plan, a midnight proposal, and a providential pause.

As we look at how Ruth and Boaz's relationship came together, we see one very important thing:

God's hand was in every detail.

After Ruth and Naomi lose their husbands in the land of Moab, they return to Israel.

Here, Ruth meets Boaz. Boaz takes notice of Ruth, and actively takes steps to take care of Ruth, despite her being a foreigner.

This relationship is crucial in helping us understand a truth about God - he never runs out of grace for the outcast!

The start of the book of Ruth is a tragic story. Three men in the same family all pass away in a foreign land, leaving behind their three widows. But this is just the beginning of the story - God has a much bigger plan for these women, and in the same way, He has a plan for you!

Growing down is a challenge to let go of our expectations to be independent, and to grow more dependent on God.

Like children, we should have a faith full of innocence, finding our security and peace in God.

Join us as we close out our journey through "growing down" in our faith!