Month: October 2025

How God Uses ALL of Us in His Story

This week we look at the life of the prophet Hosea and how God used him — and how God still uses us — even when the story looks messy, unexpected, or far from “clean.”

1. The story at a glance

God calls Hosea to do something shocking: He says to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry — for the land has committed great harlotry by departing from the LORD.” (Hosea 1:2, ESV)


Hosea obeys and marries a woman (commonly called Gomer) who is described as one who will be unfaithful. Her story becomes a living portrait of how the people of Israel had turned away from God.


The point? God uses Hosea’s real life — his marriage, his children, the pain, the betrayal, the restoration — to show something about His relationship with us.

2. What this story tells us about God

  • God uses the ordinary, the unexpected, the ones society might overlook. Hosea was not marrying someone from the “clean” or “elite” part of society; he was marrying someone whose life becomes a symbol of brokenness and redemption. That tells us: No one is outside God’s reach or outside His purpose.
  • God enters into brokenness. The metaphor shows God willing to identify with the mess — with unfaithfulness, hurt, pain — so that He can reveal healing and restoration.
  • There is hope of restoration. The story doesn’t stop at the brokenness. Hosea buys back his wife (Hosea 3) — symbolizing God’s redemption.

3. What this means for us

God is not done with you. The story isn’t over. The experiences you’ve lived, the things you’d rather hide, the times you felt unworthy — none of it disqualifies you from being used. In fact, God can use it because of it.

Let your past become part of your empathy. Let your failures become part of your testimony. Let your journey — all of it — become part of your ministry. Because God doesn’t turn away; He leans in. He calls you His. He sends you. He uses you.

Let’s be a community that welcomes the “real” — where men bring their whole stories, wounded and redeemed, into the light. And let’s let God write the next chapter.

Questions

  • What’s one part of many people’s past that they find hard to talk about?
  • In what ways has God used your past — the messy or “not perfect” pieces — to help you serve or relate to someone else?
  • Think about the people in your circle. Is there anyone who might feel “outside the mainstream” (in work, life, or faith). If so, how might God be calling you to reach out with grace?
  • What does forgiving yourself look like and how can that simple act make you more valuable to God’s plan?

Do The Opposite

Have you ever noticed how certain thoughts seem to hit harder when you’re already under stress? It’s like the enemy knows exactly when to poke and prod, whispering doubts, fears, and frustrations right when we’re most vulnerable.

Maybe it’s a moment where you feel overwhelmed at work. Suddenly the thought pops up: You’re failing. Or maybe a tough conversation with a loved one leaves you thinking, You’re not good enough.

Here’s a simple idea that might just shake you loose in those moments: do the opposite.

If the thought in your head is, I’m failing, say out loud or in your heart: I’m still standing, and God’s not done with me.

If the thought is, I’m not good enough, flip it: I am made in God’s image. I belong to Him.

It’s not magic. It’s not pretending everything’s fine. It’s more like grabbing the steering wheel before the car goes off the road. It’s a way of calling out the lie and choosing a different path—one that leads back toward truth, peace, and stability.

And here’s the kicker: when you invite God into that moment—when you ask, Lord, help me turn this thought around—He shows up. He always does. Sometimes it’s a sense of peace. Other times it’s clarity, or even just a breath that helps you reset.

James 4:7 tells us to “resist the devil, and he will flee from you”. This practice might be one small way of doing just that. Not by fighting fire with fire, but by choosing to speak light into darkness. It’s not always easy, especially when the pressure is on. But even pausing to consider the opposite of what you’re thinking can be enough to break the cycle and help you find your footing again.

We’re all in this journey together. One of the best things about our group is that we don’t have to pretend we have it all together. We share tools, encouragement, and reminders like this one—not because we’re perfect, but because we’re learning how to lean on God more every day.

So the next time a negative or anxious thought shows up uninvited, try doing the opposite. Speak truth. Claim peace. And invite God into the moment. You might be surprised how much lighter you feel just by flipping the script.

Questions:

  1. Do you agree that we are most vulnerable to negative thoughts when we are already under stress?
  2. What lies or negative thoughts do you find yourself believing most often?
  3. How do you usually try to reset your thinking in tough moments? What role does prayer or Scripture play for you?
  4. What role do other men—friends, mentors, or this group—play in helping you recognize and resist false thinking?
  5. Do you have any other thoughts or strategies we haven’t covered that might help other men when they encounter the lies of the enemy?