Reflections on Pastor Steve Robinson’s ‘Searching for Hope.’
Life is filled with sudden storms that shake us deeply, and often, God uses these storms to awaken us to His presence and His promises. Pastor Steve Robinson of Church of the King stepped away from his Galatians series to address the heaviness many have felt in recent weeks. Several tragic events shook our community and nation: the evil murder of a young Ukrainian refugee, the senseless school shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, and the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, to name a few. Each of these incidents underscores the reality of living in a fallen world, stirring grief, anger, and confusion. The question naturally arises: how should Christians respond when tragedy piles upon tragedy?
As Pastor Steve said,
“Life can feel overwhelming when tragedy, loss, and uncertainty pile up all around us. In moments like these, it’s easy to feel fragile, fearful, or even hopeless. Yet there’s a deeper reality—God hasn’t left us to face the brokenness of this world alone. He offers peace, strength, and lasting hope through His presence and His promises.”
That is the anchor of his message: no matter how heavy life becomes, God offers hope that never fades.
It’s important for me to note the difference between trials and tribulations. Trials often arise from our own choices—our disobedience, poor judgment, or lack of wisdom. Tribulations, however, are assaults that come from outside of our control: attacks from the enemy, injustices inflicted by others, or adversities like natural disasters. Pastor Steve’s message focuses on how we respond to these tribulations—these assaults of life that press upon us unexpectedly and heavily.
As I reflect on his message, I recognize how important it is to maintain a spiritual perspective on tribulations. Jesus warned us that in this world we would face trouble (Jn. 16:33 NIV), and Paul wrote that creation itself groans under the weight of sin (Rom. 8:22 NIV). Tribulations will not decrease—they will increase as the days move closer to Christ’s return. Yet, these struggles invite us to see beyond the pain and into God’s eternal plan. Tribulations become the soil where testimonies take root, teaching us endurance, faith, and hope. Here are the main points of his message.
Life is Fragile
Pastor Steve reminded us, “Every single day that you and I live, when we wake up and there’s oxygen in our lungs, it’s a gift from God.” He pointed to James 4:14 (NIV), which likens our lives to a mist that vanishes quickly. Psalm 90:12 (NIV) calls us to number our days, to live each one with wisdom and gratitude. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, so we must cherish today—loving deeply, forgiving quickly, and walking wisely.
As I heard this, I thought of how often I treat life as though it stretches on endlessly. But then I remember moments when the fragility of life was made very real to me. I fainted three times in one morning before doctors determined I needed a pacemaker—thankfully, I wasn’t behind the wheel of my car going 65 miles per hour on the highway. Years earlier, on my very first professional job, I had a gun put to my head during a robbery. By God’s grace, I lived through that moment, and today I glorify Him with every breath. Gratitude for life comes not just from the ordinary blessings but also from surviving assaults that could have ended everything. Those experiences remind me daily that every moment is a gift from God, and tribulations, though painful, shape my testimony to worship the One who preserves me. My race may end one day, but oh, how my greatest desire is to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
The World Is Broken
In Pastor Steve’s words, “The world itself is in transition… creation has been groaning.” Sin entered in Genesis 3, fracturing the cosmos and setting everything into decay. That brokenness explains why we face violence, disasters, and grief. But Scripture points us forward. Revelation 21:4 (NIV) promises that God will one day wipe away every tear, remove death, and end all mourning and pain. For the believer, this fallen earth is not home—heaven is.
For me, this brings perspective when I see headlines that grieve, and overwhelm my spirit, such as the recent tragedies that have flooded news and social media. Personally, I remember the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed our townhouse, leaving us uncertain of where we would live. Yet within two weeks, by prayer and faith, God provided a house that was not only safe, in a better neighborhood, and closer to work, was also within our budget. That experience, born out of disaster, proved to me that even in the brokenness of this world, faith in God brings restoration and blessing. So when I see hurricanes, wars, or sudden losses, I remind myself that the world is not as it should be—but I also cling to the promise that it won’t stay this way. My testimony is strengthened every time I shift my eyes from the chaos of earth to the hope of heaven.
The Spiritual Battle Is Real
Pastor Steve declared, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood… but against the spiritual forces of evil.” (Eph. 6:12 NIV). What we perceive as human conflict often has spiritual roots. Satan works through lies, deception, and destruction. Jesus said plainly that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy (Jn. 10:10 NIV). But Christ, through His death and resurrection, disarmed the powers of darkness (Col. 2:15 NIV). Our response is to pray first, resist the lies of the enemy, and live with a biblical worldview that equips us to stand firm.
This truth reminds me of how I view my own tribulations. One of the hardest assaults I faced was the loss of a 14-year career—not because of poor job performance, but because my supervisor was ungodly and openly opposed my faith in Christ. At the time, I was tempted to focus on the injustice and blame the people involved, but God reminded me that the real battle was spiritual. What seemed like a personal attack was actually the enemy’s attempt to silence my testimony. That season forced me to lean on prayer as my greatest weapon, to remember that the true enemy is not flesh and blood, and to trust that Jesus had already secured victory. Looking back, I see how God used that painful loss to strengthen my faith and give me a deeper testimony of His faithfulness, which in part, led to My Story His Glory.
The Only Hope Is the Gospel
Finally, Pastor Steve proclaimed, “Ultimately, you can only educate the mind, but only the gospel can transform the human heart.” Political systems, educational programs, or cultural reforms may help, but none can solve the root problem of sin. Romans 1:16 (NIV) reminds us that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to all who believe. Jesus alone saves, heals, and restores. This is why revival is stirring among young people today—because the gospel still changes lives.
For me, this truth is inseparable from personal testimony. The gospel is not only written in Scripture but revealed through the stories of our lives. And those stories are shaped in the furnace of trials and tribulations—the assaults that test our faith and drive us closer to Christ. My testimony is living proof that God takes the darkest seasons and uses them to shine the light of His grace. Every time I share my story, I share the gospel in action, pointing to the Savior who transforms everything.
Conclusion: Turning Tribulations into Testimonies
Life is fragile, the world is broken, the battle is real, but the gospel brings hope. God calls us to see beyond temporary pain and fix our eyes on Christ—the eternal truth. The Word of God equips us to face assaults with courage, respond to tribulations with faith, and hold tightly to the hope of Christ. But that hope is not meant to stay hidden in our hearts. It becomes powerful when we share it through our testimonies. Each story of God’s faithfulness turns suffering into a declaration of His grace and helps others see that the gospel still transforms lives.
Now I ask you:
- How have recent tribulations reminded you of the brevity of life?
- Where do you see the brokenness of the world pressing hardest against your spirit?
- How might God be asking you to recognize the spiritual battle and pray first?
- And most importantly, are you ready and willing to share the gospel through your personal story?
Your story, even in hardship, can become your testimony. If you need help crafting or sharing your testimony, I invite you to explore the series, Remember, Record, Recite, where you’ll be guided step by step to see God’s hand in your life and proclaim His glory.
As my final thought, I believe this message is one that should be experienced in full. My reflections here only capture part of what Pastor Steve shared, but hearing his heart and the scriptures he unpacked brings an even greater sense of clarity and encouragement. I recommend you watch the full message below to receive the depth of hope and strength that only God’s Word can provide.
And you can watch the full message, ‘Search for Hope,’ below.
Steve Robinson is a pastor, speaker, and author whose ministry spans the globe. He serves as Senior Pastor across seven Church of the King locations in the United States, a newly established campus in Cape Town, South Africa, a thriving online campus, and daily radio and television broadcasts.
A graduate of Tulane University, Steve holds a master’s degree from The King’s Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. He serves on the boards of Equip—a global leadership organization led by John Maxwell—and Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Steve is the author of Don’t Sway In The Delay, Decide To Thrive, Perspective Shift, Extraordinary Living, Simple Prayer, and Hope Again. His passion is to reach people who are far from God and disciple them into fully devoted followers of Christ.
He and his wife, Jennifer, live in a suburb of New Orleans, Louisiana, and are blessed with four children and one son-in-law—Isabelle and her husband, Stone, Conrad, William, and Annaliese. Learn more at steverobinson.com
