If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

One of the basic truths that every believer needs to understand is what God's purpose is for His children.  Once you understand what God is doing in your life, you'll understand why He allows difficult circumstances in your life.

Read:  Romans 8:27 - And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

1.  How does Romans 8:27 help you understand how God works?  Romans 8:28 - “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.”  _______________________________________________________________________
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2.  Have you ever been encouraged or lifted up by a person who shared how they handled a hardship?  _______________________________________________________________________________________
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Have you ever had an opportunity to share a hardship that you went through to encourage someone else? If so, do you mind sharing it in group? __________________________________________
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3.  Pastor Dan said that God never wastes a circumstance. Can you share a time when you went through a tough time and became closer to Jesus?  _____________________________________________
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4.  God’s purpose is to make you in the likeness of Jesus. Think of a time when God used you:
        The Bible  ___________________________________________________________________________________
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 A circumstance  ___________________________________________________________________________
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Let’s talk about how you respond or your attitudes in tough times.

5.  Share a time when your attitude was like each one that Pastor Dan went over:
 Trust:  _____________________________________________________________________________________
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 Submission:  _______________________________________________________________________________
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 Contentment:  ____________________________________________________________________________
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 Thankfulness:  _____________________________________________________________________________
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 Praise:  ____________________________________________________________________________________
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 Teachable spirit:  __________________________________________________________________________
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