They are the opening phase of a larger painful process.

They show that the worst has already passed.

They mean nothing meaningful is happening.

They prove the trouble will end immediately.

Stay steady, keep trusting God, and refuse to treat the pain as the final word.

Assume the pain means everything has gone wrong, so give up hope.

Act as if the trouble is not real so you can avoid feeling unsettled.

Spend all your energy trying to predict exactly how the future will unfold.

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and tried to carry my life on my own. When pain and fear rise up, I need your mercy and your saving help. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust you as my Lord. Lead me into your life and hope, and hold me through every sorrow. Amen.

Receive the Lord of Hope

Lord, when the world groans and trouble rises, wake up your Church. Keep us from panic, dullness, and despair. Make us steady, compassionate, and full of hope, so we can love well in hard seasons and point people to you. Renew us for this moment, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Your Church in Suffering

Pray by naming the trouble that feels like it is beginning, ask God for calm trust instead of panic, and ask him to show you one faithful step for today.

Pray for Patient Trust

Father, when my life feels full of hard beginnings, give me peace. Help me remember that you see the whole story, and keep me from despair when pain starts to grow. Teach me to wait on you with a steady heart, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Peace in the Early Pains

Pray for: a person whose life feels painful right now; courage to stay near them instead of pulling away; and grace for them to know that God is present in the middle of the struggle.

For Someone in a Hard Season

Thank God that present trouble is not the final word; thank him that he can work through difficult beginnings; and thank him for the patience to keep trusting while the story unfolds.

Thank God for Hope in the Beginning

πάντα{PAN-da###PAHN-dah###all} δὲ{DE###DEH###but} ταῦτα{TAF-ta###TAHF-tah###these} ἀρχὴ{ar-KHEE###ahr-KHEE###beginning of} ὠδίνων.{o-DI-non###oh-DEE-nohn###birth pains}

Matthew 24:8 — FormalTAB

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