God cares and He does not cause bad things to happen. We live in a fallen world and have free will. There are natural disasters, death, disease, and all sorts of struggles people face each day. Everyone is dealing with something or many things. This life was not promised to be easy, but God did say He would always help us through our struggles. All we need to do is ask and have faith that God will help us.
When we ask Him faithfully in prayer God hears us and works all things for good, even the worst of tragedies. He still does miracles everyday. If you look for them in your own life you will see them. I know I do. Sometimes it’s big things, but it can also be little things. Sometimes I just know that was God and I say thank you.
When you have a close relationship and talk to God throughout the day like he is your best friend who knows all your thoughts and garbage (our worst parts of ourselves we try to hide from others) it is easy to talk about your struggles and ask for help. He may not provide the help in the exact way you think it should come, but thank goodness because God’s ways are so much better than our ways. He sees the big picture, how everything plays out and affects others. He answers prayers by helping us through struggles in ways we hadn’t even imagined.
One example of a miracle is the boys trapped in the cave for 18 days. Every single day they expected it to rain and raced against an impending monsoon. We prayed all around the world and the rain never came. As soon as the boys were rescued, it started to rain. They couldn’t even get their tools out. The rain was delayed for 18 days, and flooded the cave the minute the boys were rescued. That’s God. That’s the power of prayer. All Glory to God!
Divine Control
“Before you formed this concept of divine control so powerfully in your mind, you used to go from person to person seeking help, but now you go to God about it.”
…how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! MATTHEW 7:11
Jesus is laying down the rules of conduct in this passage for those people who have His Spirit. He urges us to keep our minds filled with the concept of God’s control over everything, which means that a disciple must maintain an attitude of perfect trust and an eagerness to ask and to seek.
Fill your mind with the thought that God is there. And once your mind is truly filled with that thought, when you experience difficulties it will be as easy as breathing for you to remember, “My heavenly Father knows all about this!” This will be no effort at all, but will be a natural thing for you when difficulties and uncertainties arise. Before you formed this concept of divine control so powerfully in your mind, you used to go from person to person seeking help, but now you go to God about it. Jesus is laying down the rules of conduct for those people who have His Spirit, and it works on the following principle: God is my Father, He loves me, and I will never think of anything that He will forget, so why should I worry?
Jesus said there are times when God cannot lift the darkness from you, but you should trust Him. At times God will appear like an unkind friend, but He is not; He will appear like an unnatural father, but He is not; He will appear like an unjust judge, but He is not. Keep the thought that the mind of God is behind all things strong and growing. Not even the smallest detail of life happens unless God’s will is behind it. Therefore, you can rest in perfect confidence in Him. Prayer is not only asking, but is an attitude of the mind which produces the atmosphere in which asking is perfectly natural. “Ask, and it will be given to you…” (Matthew 7:7).
Key Scriptures
“… In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NIV
“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”
2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10 NIV
… though he may stumble, he will not fall. For the LORD upholds him with his hand.
Psalm 37:24 NIV
“… Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 NIV
… stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV 
Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.
- What inspired you most from this message?
- Who, or what situations, did you think of as you listened?
Start thinking. Ask a thoughtful question.
- Read Jesus’ words in John 16:33. Do you see this Scripture as encouraging or scary? Why?
- Do you have any questions about why bad things happen to good people? Talk openly about those.
Start sharing. Choose questions that create openness.
- Have you experienced a major tragedy, trauma, or loss in your life? How was your view of God impacted?
- Share about any areas in your life where you feel ready to give up.
- What’s the difference between just giving up and surrendering to God?
- Read Joshua 1:9. Where do you want to walk? What would it look like to be strong and courageous?
Start praying. Be bold, and pray with power.
Heavenly Father, we want to walk, but we need Your strength. Holy Spirit, give us the courage to take steps in the very moment we feel ready to give up. Show us that we’re not alone—You’re holding us up with Your hand. Thank You, Jesus, for overcoming the pain of this world. We put our hope in You. Amen.
Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
- Share one area where you’re ready to quit. What’s a first step that would force you to rely on God’s might?
- Pick a Scripture from this message that best addresses your struggle, and make it a part of your prayer time.
- Find some life-giving help for the pain you’re facing: www.go2.lc/pain
Thai cave rescue: Divers begin mission to rescue 12 trapped boys as monsoon rain looms
‘Today is D-Day,’ officials say
Officials on Sunday morning said that “today is D-Day” as they face a race against time to extract the children from the narrow Tham Luang cave complex before more monsoon rains arrive.
Chiang Rai acting governor Narongsak Osatanakorn said 13 foreign and five Thai divers were taking part in the rescue and two divers will accompany each boy as they are gradually removed.
The operation began at 10am local time, with authorities suggesting it would take at least 11 hours for the first person to be rescued.
Divers have begun the operation to rescue 12 Thai boys and their football coach, who have been trapped in a flooded cave for more than two weeks.
Officials on Sunday morning said that “today is D-Day” as they face a race against time to extract the children from the narrow Tham Luang cave complex before more monsoon rains arrive.
Chiang Rai acting governor Narongsak Osatanakorn said 13 foreign and five Thai divers were taking part in the rescue and two divers will accompany each boy as they are gradually removed.
Read More
The Way This Football Coach Kept 12 Boys, Trapped In A Thai Cave, Alive For 18 Days Goes Viral
5 days ago by Andželika
A few weeks ago heartbreaking story captured everyone’s attention. In Thailand 12 boys, aged between 11 and 16, and their 25-year-old coach went missing. After the boys’ bikes were found next to an entrance of a cave it became clear that the torrential downpour had left them trapped in it.
It took 9 days of an intense rescue operation to find the boys alive and another 9 days to get them to safety. After 18 days trapped in the cave twelve boys and their coach have finally been rescued.
However, during this intense and stressful time, many people blamed the boys’ coach Ekkapol Chantawong. In defense of Ekkapol, Twitter user yvvonelim9 posted a thread about the coach and gathered some very important facts. Despite being accused of irresponsible behavior by taking children into the cave, it seems obvious by now that Ekkapol played an important role in keeping the trapped children alive.
Reportedly, the kind-hearted coach was the most malnourished because he gave away his share of food to the children, he taught the boys to meditate to help them conserve energy and kept their spirits high until the moment they were rescued.
Ekkapol proved himself to be a true hero in keeping the children alive, scroll to read his life story below!
More info: twitter.com
In Thailand, 12 boys and their 25-year-old football coach became trapped in a cave when rain flooded the escape route
Twitter user yvvonelim9 posted a thread about the coach and gathered some important facts about his life and his role in keeping the children alive
Divine Control
“Before you formed this concept of divine control so powerfully in your mind, you used to go from person to person seeking help, but now you go to God about it.”
…how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! MATTHEW 7:11
Jesus is laying down the rules of conduct in this passage for those people who have His Spirit. He urges us to keep our minds filled with the concept of God’s control over everything, which means that a disciple must maintain an attitude of perfect trust and an eagerness to ask and to seek.
Fill your mind with the thought that God is there. And once your mind is truly filled with that thought, when you experience difficulties it will be as easy as breathing for you to remember, “My heavenly Father knows all about this!” This will be no effort at all, but will be a natural thing for you when difficulties and uncertainties arise. Before you formed this concept of divine control so powerfully in your mind, you used to go from person to person seeking help, but now you go to God about it. Jesus is laying down the rules of conduct for those people who have His Spirit, and it works on the following principle: God is my Father, He loves me, and I will never think of anything that He will forget, so why should I worry?
Jesus said there are times when God cannot lift the darkness from you, but you should trust Him. At times God will appear like an unkind friend, but He is not; He will appear like an unnatural father, but He is not; He will appear like an unjust judge, but He is not. Keep the thought that the mind of God is behind all things strong and growing. Not even the smallest detail of life happens unless God’s will is behind it. Therefore, you can rest in perfect confidence in Him. Prayer is not only asking, but is an attitude of the mind which produces the atmosphere in which asking is perfectly natural. “Ask, and it will be given to you…” (Matthew 7:7)
From My Utmost for His Highest Updated Edition
Let’s Welcome the Light and Gain a New Perspective on Our Pain
Trichy Insights 