RESILIENT OVERCOMERS TRUST GOD
Pastor Greg Simon
Trust God in all ways and at all times. God calls you to overcome. An overcomer resiliently trusts God to work together for good even when life appears to be coming apart.
We endure stress and trouble on earth that can make us feel like we’re falling apart. Remind yourself: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT). Not every road is straight and not every obstacle is easy, but a pathway with no bumps probably doesn’t lead anywhere. We face potholes, roadblocks, and detours on our God-called journey. Albeit, the Lord is working for our good and the Lord is with us. He promises, “When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them” (Psalms 91:15 NLT). God is with us in the dark as surely as He is with us in the light. God has a planned solution before we even know we have a problem.
In the classic Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis likens God’s use of adversity to walking a dog. If the dog gets its leash wrapped around a pole and tries to continue running forward, he will only tighten the leash more. Both the dog and the owner are after the same purpose of forward motion, but the owner resists the dog by pulling him opposite the direction he wants to go. The master has a higher perspective and understands better than the dog where the dog really wants to go. Therefore, the master takes an action temporarily opposite to that of the dog’s will. This is similar to how God can use adversity to get us back-on-track. Some trouble and delays are actually seasons of preparation to get the junk out of us so the Lord can get His direction in us!
In the midst of trouble, allow the Lord to change your perspective. Every trouble has a limited life span. Every trouble holds a positive possibility. Every trouble has the power to change you for the better. The Lord is working for your good. Review your notes from Sunday’s message (included below). If you don’t step forward, you will always be in the same place. What action steps have you implemented?
Embrace change! God is more concerned with changing you than changing your circumstances. God often changes your perspective before He changes your situation. When you change how you look at everything, everything you look at will change. The right perspective is to see clearly, to put things into a right point of view, to perceive through the right frame of reference. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! 4 Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock” (Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT). Perfect peace is founded on that right perspective.
God’s plans for your life far exceed the circumstances of your day. The pain of rejection, abuse, and loss actually fades as you welcome the reality that you are tightly held in the arms of a God who loves you passionately and deeply. Trust Him! Don’t let your current condition determine your conclusion. Heavenly Father truly is working things together for your good and His glory.
VIDEO & SERMON NOTES from May 3, 2026 10AM Worship Service
An overcomer resiliently trusts God to work together for good even when life appears to be coming apart.
1 Peter 5:7 MEV “Cast all your care upon Him, because He cares for you.”
God’s plans for your life far exceed the circumstances of your day.
Romans 8:28 MEV “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
1 John 4:4 MEV “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
1 John 5:4 MEV “for whoever is born of God overcomes the world, and the victory that overcomes the world is our faith.”
Resilient Overcomers:
- Connect with God
- Reflect and move forward despite misfortune
- Embrace change
- Remain optimistic and surround themselves with optimistic people
- Maintain consecration and inspiration
- Make time for rest and recreation
- Have a compelling purpose
John 16:33 MEV “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have distress. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! 4 Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.”
You’re not coming apart; you are set apart. Separation — Preparation — Revelation — Elevation
Psalms 3:5-6 NLT “I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. 6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.”
Daniel 6:23 NLT “The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.”
Acts 12:6 NLT “The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate.”
Mark 4:38 NLT “Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with His head on a cushion. The disciples woke Him up, shouting, ‘Teacher, don’t You care that we’re going to drown?’”
Psalm 74:16 NLT “Both day and night belong to You; You made the starlight and the sun.”
Psalm 136:7–9 NLT “Give thanks to Him who made the heavenly lights — His faithful love endures forever. 8 The sun to rule the day, His faithful love endures forever. 9 and the moon and stars to rule the night. His faithful love endures forever.”
Proverbs 3:24 MEV “When you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
Psalms 4:8 MEV “I will both lie down in peace and sleep; for You, Lord, make me dwell safely and securely.”
Psalms 127:2 MEV “It is in vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrowful toil; for so He gives His beloved sleep.”
Psalms 23:1-2 MEV “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.”
Psalms 23:6 MEV “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NLT “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’”’
Psalms 150:6 MEV “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”
Purpose does not require a platform.
Fulfillment:
— Alignment to God’s Purpose (purpose gives direction)
— Authentic Connection (connection unleashes belonging)
— Growth and Maturity (growth liberates momentum)
— Contribution and Impact (contribution delivers meaning)