The Silent Epidemic Part III
Scroll to read a recap of Pastor John’s sermon from November 30, 2025
Let’s Break it Down
When we embrace authenticity instead of maintaining a perfect facade, our struggles become opportunities for God's power to be displayed. The goal isn't to live without struggles but to allow God's strength to be perfected in our weakness.
Key Takeaways
Even the Apostle Paul struggled with his flesh, and his transparency about these struggles encourages us in our own battles
God's strength is made perfect in our weakness - we don't need to hide our struggles but can allow God to work through them
Suffering and difficult seasons are not meant to destroy us but to strengthen, establish, and settle us for greater ministry
Authentic Christianity is more powerful than 'plastic Christianity' - people need to see real struggles and a real Savior
All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose, even our most difficult circumstances
Tap to watch Pastor John’s full sermon on Youtube
5 Day Devotional
Day 1:Dropping the Mask
Devotional Have you ever felt like you needed to put on a perfect Christian face? Like everyone else had their spiritual life figured out while you were still wrestling with doubts, temptations, and struggles? You're not alone. Even the Apostle Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament and had incredible spiritual experiences, was refreshingly honest about his internal battles. In Romans 7, he describes the frustrating reality of wanting to do good but finding evil present with him. Paul didn't pretend to have it all together – he acknowledged the very real struggle between his desires to follow God and his human nature. This wasn't a sign of spiritual failure; it was a sign of spiritual honesty. When we try to maintain a plastic appearance of constant victory, we not only exhaust ourselves but also make others feel like they're the only ones struggling. Paul's transparency should encourage us that spiritual growth isn't about perfection – it's about authenticity with God and others about our journey.
Bible Verse
'So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!' - Romans 7:21-25
Reflection Question
What masks are you wearing that prevent others from seeing your authentic spiritual journey, and how might removing them actually draw people closer to Jesus?
Quote I think sometimes as Christians, we believe that we need to put on some plastic appearance, some holy facade that, you know, men, we're so spiritual and everybody knows that no one is.
Prayer
Lord, help me to be honest about my struggles instead of hiding behind a facade of perfection. Give me the courage to be authentic so that others can see Your grace working in my weakness. Amen.
Day 2:Strength in Weakness
Devotional There's something counterintuitive about God's economy – He often uses our weakest moments to display His greatest strength. Paul learned this lesson through his 'thorn in the flesh,' a persistent struggle that he begged God to remove three times. Instead of taking it away, God told him, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Paul's response was remarkable: he chose to boast in his weaknesses so that Christ's power could rest on him. This isn't about celebrating our failures or giving up on growth. It's about recognizing that when we reach the end of our own strength, we create space for God's strength to shine through us. Our struggles aren't roadblocks to spiritual maturity – they're often the very pathways God uses to develop our dependence on Him. When we stop trying to be strong in our own power and instead lean into God's grace, we discover a strength that's far greater than anything we could muster on our own.
Bible Verse
'But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.' - 2 Corinthians 12:9
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life are you trying to be strong in your own power instead of allowing God's strength to be perfected in your weakness?
Quote For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Prayer
Father, help me to stop fighting my weaknesses and instead surrender them to You. Show me how Your strength can be displayed through my limitations. Teach me to find my identity in Your power, not my own. Amen.
Day 3:Purpose in the Pain
Devotional When we're in the middle of difficult seasons, it's natural to wonder if God has forgotten us or if our struggles will ever end. But what if our suffering isn't the end of the story? What if it's actually part of God's plan to strengthen and establish us? First Peter 5:10 gives us a beautiful promise: after we've suffered for a little while, God will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle us. This suggests that our trials aren't random or meaningless – they're part of a divine process. Just like a muscle grows stronger through resistance, our faith often grows deeper through difficulty. The key is learning to see our current season not as something to simply endure, but as something God is using to prepare us for what's ahead. This doesn't minimize the reality of pain, but it does give it purpose. When we can't see our future clearly, perhaps it's because we need to fully embrace and learn from the season we're currently in.
Bible Verse
'And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.' - 1 Peter 5:10
Reflection Question
How might God be using your current struggles to prepare you for something greater, and what lessons is He trying to teach you in this season?
Quote Could it be that your suffering isn't the end game like you might think? So many times we think that what we're going through right now, it's going to take us out.
Prayer
Lord, help me to trust that You have a purpose in my pain. Give me patience to learn what You want to teach me in this season, and help me to see beyond my current circumstances to Your greater plan. Amen.
Day 4:Truth in Love
Devotional Living authentically isn't just about being honest with ourselves – it's also about being truthful with others, even when it's uncomfortable. Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is speak truth into someone's life, even if they don't want to hear it. This requires courage because truth-telling often comes with a cost. People might be offended, relationships might be strained, and we might face rejection. But if we truly love someone, we'll care more about their spiritual growth than their temporary comfort. This doesn't mean being harsh or judgmental – it means speaking truth with grace and love. When we see someone heading down a destructive path or living in denial about their struggles, staying silent isn't loving; it's enabling. The goal isn't to wound but to heal, not to condemn but to restore. Truth-telling in love requires wisdom, timing, and a heart that genuinely cares for the other person's wellbeing more than our own comfort.
Bible Verse
'Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.' - Galatians 1:10
Reflection Question
Is there someone in your life who needs to hear a difficult truth from you, and what's holding you back from speaking it in love?
Quote Tell people the truth if you love them at all, if you love them at all, stab them in the front if you love them at all.
Prayer
God, give me the wisdom to know when to speak and when to remain silent. When You call me to speak truth, give me courage and help me to do it with love and grace. Help me to care more about pleasing You than pleasing people. Amen.
Day 5:Savior in the Storm
Devotional Life has a way of reminding us that we're not in control. We all face seasons of suffering, disappointment, and uncertainty. But here's the beautiful truth that changes everything: while we have struggles, we also have a Savior. Jesus isn't just there for the good times when everything is going smoothly – He's especially present in our darkest moments. Anyone can trust God when life is easy, but the real test of faith comes when the storms hit. Can we trust Him when we can't see the way forward? Can we believe He's good when circumstances suggest otherwise? The same Jesus who calmed the storms on the Sea of Galilee is alive and on the throne today. He hasn't abandoned you in your struggle; He's right there with you in it. Your current situation isn't bigger than your Savior. This isn't ultimately about you or your circumstances – it's about Him and His faithfulness. When we shift our focus from our problems to our Savior, we find the strength to keep going and the peace that passes understanding.
Bible Verse
'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.' - Romans 8:28
Reflection Question
In what ways can you shift your focus from your current struggles to the faithfulness of your Savior, and how might this change your perspective on your circumstances?
Quote We're all going through stuff. We've all been through stuff. We're going to go through stuff. But he is alive and on the throne and Just as surely as we have suffering, we have a Savior.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You that I don't have to face my struggles alone. Help me to trust You not just in the good times, but especially in the difficult seasons. Remind me that You are bigger than any storm I'm facing. Amen.