The Steadfast Love of the Lord - Lamentations 3

1. The sermon says suffering can become so overwhelming that "it begins to set the narrative for our lives"—shaping how we see our value, our identity, and even how we treat others. Have you ever noticed a hard season changing the way you saw yourself or the world around you? What was that like? How does the steadfast love of the Lord affect that narrative?
2. Jeremiah says that in his deepest despair, he "called to mind" something that gave him hope. What are the things people typically turn to for hope or stability when life falls apart? Which of those have you leaned on, and how well have they held up? Why is the steadfast love of the Lord a better thing to turn to?
3. The sermon uses the illustration of turning away from something harmful as part of healing, not just a hurdle before healing. What things give you a false sense of identity, purpose, or value that you need to turn from? What would it look like to turn from them and turn to God?
4. The sermon quotes Phil Ryken saying, "There are times when the only thing a sufferer can do is wait." What's your honest reaction to being told to wait during a hard situation? When has waiting for something ever been worth it?