Katherine Wolf shares her inspiring story of suffering, perseverance, and hope, encouraging us to shift our mindset from the “what ifs” to “what is.” She teaches that if we’re looking for an escape hatch from the “what if” loop, we must have hope in God.
Key Takeaway
Sometimes, certain treasures are only available in the darkness. Don't miss the treasure.
We can reframe the idea of having overwhelming things to be abundance and answered prayers.
What if God spared us from a perfect life, and if this life of suffering was precisely what God wanted us to live?
We tend to confuse a "charmed" life with a "blessed" life, yearning for a life free of struggle, pain, or loss. But what if our struggles propel us to God's purpose for our lives and help save lives along the way?
The bubblewrap of affluence and access can keep us numb to the world, but when faced with difficulty, we learn to have empathy and compassion for those around us and hope in our Savior instead of our circumstances.
The phrase "poor in spirit" in Matthew 5:4 refers to those for whom the world was not made—believers in Christ who know that their inheritance is in heaven. We understand that this is all a part of something bigger.
We must move from having a "what-if" loop to settling into "what is." We must have eyes to see what is right before us and hope in Jesus above all else.
If it's true for me, could it be true for you, too?
Suffering changes us. We're no longer the person we were before.
New life starts in the dark. Jesus was given new life after being in the tomb, in the same way, that seeds grow from the darkness of the soil.
1. My suffering can feel a little more bearable when I love who I've become because of it.
2. God can use my deepest wounds to heal the world.
3. I can see my suffering as a curse on the people I love or an inheritance of breathtaking value.
4. Hope is not a fixed point I will reach. Hope is the living force that propels me forward.
—
Do not miss the treasure.
Discussion Questions
What if God spared you from the perfect life? How have you seen God's goodness in your life through the obstacles you've faced?
Have you experienced the "bubble wrap of affluence and access" Katherine described? If so, how has the shield of protection through prosperity hindered your ability to grow in your faith?
Do you often pray for a charmed life rather than a blessed life? How are the two different?
Are you stuck in the "what-if" loop right now with a scenario? What did Katherine mention was the solution to breaking the "what-if" loop, and what does that look like practically for you?
How have you seen treasures in the darkness of your own life?
How has suffering changed you?
Katherine mentioned that new life starts in the dark. How have you seen that to be true in your own life?
"We can love who we are because Jesus is in us." How has this truth shaped your understanding of self-love?
How has God used your deepest wounds to bring healing to the world?
If you're here, you're supposed to be. How has this simple truth given you hope in your purpose here on earth?
Scripture References
