Are you new to CITYCHURCH and wondering what's next? Then join us for NEXT, an engaging 2 hour class (with a break!) for an overview of our mission, strategy, and environments to help you determine your best next step. Dinner and childcare are provided.  NEXT will take place on September 18th or 22nd from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Sign up here.  

About this time twelve years ago America faced one of it's most tragic and defeating attacks against its stability, nationalism, and people. America unexpectedly watched in horror as the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania were attacked, every part of our country was in shambles. We were stunned that something so brutal could happen to a thriving and dominant country. We were swept off our feet and not sure how to react. September 11 was a day when America needed to maintain its strength, faith, and dignity the most.

Many times in life we are presented with challenges that lead to struggle and hardships. These challenges can affect us at every level including our personal lives, family lives, work, and even nation wide. The strength we have in ourselves, our faith, and our everyday outlook on life is tested. As humans, we automatically start to ask questions, like "Why me?" "What did I do to deserve this?" "Is God punishing me?". We want something or someone to blame.

I have witnessed people look in all the wrong directions to seek answers or cope with the struggles. So many times, they are searching for these answers in materialistic items, drugs and alcohol, or completely excluding themselves from life. When in all actuality, they should be looking up. Many times we let our eyes, strength, and hearts fall from God.

We question God's actions and look to blame him for the hardships in our lives. When in fact, who are we to question the one who gave up his life so we could live ours. In Proverbs 3:5-6 it states "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." As Christians, we know God has a plan for each of us. Within this plan, He gives us times of darkness and times of happiness to strengthen ourselves and our faith in him.

I constantly face struggles that make me question God's plan for me, but I remind myself that God would never give me a battle to hard to fight. The single verse that remains ever ingrained in my faith, helps me at times of struggle and never fails me is Philippians 4:13. "13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."

About two years ago I faced some of my hardest personal struggles. I felt like something was seriously missing in my life and I wasn't sure what it was. I spent my time surrounded by family and friends, and ultimately because of them ended up walking through the doors of City Church that spring. On that day I found what I had been searching for, the beginning of a new and stronger relationship with God. I stopped worrying about why I was struggling and turned all my attention to Him. I learned that eventually all the kinks would be straightened out in his hands and let Him take control.

America was forever change after that day, but with strength, faith, and the American people, we were able to get back on our feet and keep fighting for another day. God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers. After all, we are "One Nation under God."