When life gets hard, it’s tempting to just grit our teeth and hope the storm will pass. But at Lakeview Christian Church, we believe God has something better in mind: He wants us to grow, not just go, through our trials. Our mission is to “be the change as Jesus has changed us”—and often, that change happens in the crucible of suffering.

The Choice: Bitter or Better?

Pastor Jim puts it plainly:

“There’s a difference between going through something and growing through it. Two people can go through similar situations—one comes out bitter, the other becomes better.”

James 1:2-4 (ESV) calls us to a radical perspective:

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

James doesn’t say the trial itself is good, but what God does in us through it can be. We have a choice: Will we emerge bitter, or better?

Joseph: From the Pit to Maturity

The Old Testament gives us a vivid example in the story of Joseph (Genesis 37–50). Joseph’s life was a roller coaster of highs and lows:

Jacob’s favorite son, given a coat of many colors.
Betrayed by his own brothers, sold into slavery.
Rose to prominence in Potiphar’s house, only to be falsely accused and thrown in jail.
Forgotten in prison, seemingly abandoned by God and man.

Yet, Joseph’s story is not one of defeat, but of growth and redemption. In prison, Joseph was tested to his core. He endured isolation, injustice, and disappointment. But he didn’t waste the trial. He chose faithfulness, integrity, and perseverance. Over time, God shaped his character, preparing him for a position of influence that would eventually save nations.

At the end of his journey, Joseph could say to his brothers:

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20, ESV)

Growing on the Inside

What changed? Pastor Jim points out,

“There’s a difference between what happens on the inside while we’re going through it. And I think that’s the key.”

Maturity is not automatic. It comes as we lean into God, trust His promises, and allow Him to work in us, even when we feel forgotten or misunderstood. Like Joseph, we may not see God’s purpose in the moment, but we can trust His faithfulness.

Study, Share, Serve: The Pathway to Growth

At Lakeview Christian Church, we encourage everyone facing a trial to embrace the “Just 3”:

Study: Open God’s Word daily. Let Scripture interpret your circumstances, not the other way around. Joseph’s story, along with countless others in the Bible, reminds us that God is always working, even in silence.
- “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105, ESV)
Share: Don’t isolate yourself in hardship. Share your struggles and victories with others. When Joseph was in prison, he used his gifts to interpret dreams for others, and in doing so, God opened doors for him.
- “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Serve: Use your pain as a platform for ministry. Serving others in your own struggle brings meaning to hardship and turns your focus outward. Joseph’s willingness to serve, even in prison, prepared him for greater responsibility.
- “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)

Be the Change—Let God Grow You

Don’t waste the trial. Let God use it to deepen your faith, refine your character, and prepare you for the next step. Joseph’s life—and James’s teaching—shows us that the greatest growth often comes out of the hardest seasons.

At Lakeview Christian Church, we’re here to walk with you, pray with you, and help you grow through whatever you’re facing. Let’s be the change, as Jesus has changed us—studying to know God, sharing to know others, and serving to put love in action.