Can God Still Be Good When Life Isn't

If God is good, why do bad things happen? Why does He allow suffering, injustice, loss, and pain—and where is He when it happens to you?

During Focus Student Weekend, we're getting unfiltered about one of the hardest questions people ask about faith. In this message, we trace the story of Scripture from creation and humanity's brokenness to the cross, the empty tomb, and God's promise to make everything new.

The Bible doesn't pretend suffering isn't real or shame us for asking why. It shows us that God made the world good, sin brought brokenness into it, and Jesus entered that brokenness to rescue us. He wept beside a grave, carried our sin and suffering to the cross, defeated death through His resurrection, and promised that evil will not have the final word.

If you've wondered why God didn't stop what happened, questioned whether He still cares, or struggled to believe He is good after experiencing pain, this message is for you. Your questions do not disqualify you from faith, and your story is not finished.

The crack is real, but it does not get the last word. Jesus does. If it's not good yet, God's not done yet.

Everyone helping someone take steps to follow Christ. This is the vision of Journey Church, led by Pastor James Hilton, with multiple locations throughout Central Florida.

https://journeyconnect.org

Website: https://journeyconnect.org

Facebook: http://facebook.com/journeyconnect
Instagram: https://instagram.com/journeyconnect/

To support Journey Church's mission and help us transform lives both locally and globally, visit: https://journeyconnect.org/giving

If you're in the Daytona Beach area and want to learn more about our upcoming launch, go to https://journeyconnect.org/daytona

Have you ever wondered if your role really matters? Maybe you think ministry is for pastors, leaders, or people with special gifts. But what if God has a part for you to play?

This week on The Breakdown Podcast, Matthew Rhoads sat down with Pastor John to break down the message about finding your place in the church and discovering the importance of serving. Looking at Acts 6:1–7, 1 Corinthians 12:12–26, and Romans 12:3–8, the conversation explores how God equips every believer with unique gifts and how every part of the church plays an important role in its mission.

Together, they discuss what it means to discover your gifts, step into serving, and work together to reach more people, care for others, and help people take steps toward Jesus.

If you've ever wondered where you fit or whether your contribution makes a difference, this conversation will remind you that your role matters, your gifts matter, and your next step could be part of someone else's story.

If God is good, why do bad things happen? Why does He allow suffering, injustice, loss, and pain—and where is He when it happens to you?

This week on The Breakdown Podcast, Matthew Rhoads sat down with Pastor James to break down the message "Can God Still Be Good When Life Isn't?" from Focus Student Weekend. Their conversation explores one of the hardest questions people ask about faith and traces the story of Scripture from creation and humanity's brokenness to the cross, the empty tomb, and God's promise to make all things new.

They discuss how the Bible makes room for questions about suffering, how Jesus entered into our brokenness, and why pain does not mean God has stopped working. With Scripture from Genesis 1, Romans 5, John 11, Matthew 27–28, Romans 8, Revelation 21, and more, this conversation points back to the hope that evil and suffering will not have the final word.

If you've ever questioned God's goodness because of something you've experienced, this conversation will remind you that your questions don't disqualify you from faith—and your story isn't finished.

The crack is real, but it does not get the last word. Jesus does.

Have you ever wondered if going to church is supposed to be more than simply showing up on Sunday?

In Acts 2:42–47, we get a picture of the early church and what happened when people truly devoted themselves to following Jesus together. They gave themselves to Scripture, meaningful relationships, shared meals, prayer, generosity, worship, and helping others experience the love of God.

Church was never meant to be something we simply attend. It was meant to be a people we become part of.

This message challenges us to move beyond watching from the sidelines and start engaging in the life God designed for His church. Whether you feel disconnected, isolated, spiritually stuck, or unsure where you fit, there is a place for you.

You'll discover what Christian community can look like, why Scripture matters, how relationships help us grow, and how your life can help someone else take a step toward Jesus.

You don't have to have everything figured out. You just have to be willing to take a step.

Devote yourself to this life, then help someone else experience it.

Everyone helping someone take steps to follow Christ. This is the vision of Journey Church, led by Pastor James Hilton, with multiple locations throughout Central Florida.

https://journeyconnect.org

Website: https://journeyconnect.org

Facebook: http://facebook.com/journeyconnect
Instagram: https://instagram.com/journeyconnect/

To support Journey Church's mission and help us transform lives both locally and globally, visit: https://journeyconnect.org/giving

If you're in the Daytona Beach area and want to learn more about our upcoming launch, go to https://journeyconnect.org/daytona

Have you ever wondered if going to church is supposed to be more than simply showing up on Sunday?

This week on The Breakdown Podcast, Pastor John sat down with Pastor Jadner to break down a message rooted in Acts 2:38–47, exploring what happened when the early church truly devoted themselves to following Jesus together. Their conversation unpacks why church was never meant to be something we simply attend, but a people we become part of.

They discuss the importance of Scripture, meaningful relationships, prayer, generosity, worship, and Christian community—and what it looks like to move from watching from the sidelines to actively engaging in the life God designed for His church.

If you feel disconnected, isolated, or unsure where you fit, this conversation will encourage you to take a step toward community, spiritual growth, and helping someone else take a step toward Jesus.

Have you ever wondered if your role really matters? Maybe you look at the church and think ministry is for pastors, leaders, or people who seem to have a special gift. But what if God has a part for you?

In Acts 6:1–7, the early church faced a growing problem. The mission was getting too big for a few people to carry alone, so more people stepped in to serve. From there, Scripture gives us a bigger picture of the church as one body with many different parts.

1 Corinthians 12 reminds us that every part matters. Romans 12 shows us that God gives people different gifts and different ways to serve. You may not have the same role as someone else, but that does not make your role less important.

When everyone steps into their part, the church can reach more people, care for more people, and help more people take steps toward Jesus.

Your role matters. Your gifts matter. Your next step may be part of someone else's story.

Everyone helping someone take steps to follow Christ. This is the vision of Journey Church, led by Pastor James Hilton, with multiple locations throughout Central Florida.

https://journeyconnect.org

Website: https://journeyconnect.org

Facebook: http://facebook.com/journeyconnect
Instagram: https://instagram.com/journeyconnect/

To support Journey Church's mission and help us transform lives both locally and globally, visit: https://journeyconnect.org/giving

If you're in the Daytona Beach area and want to learn more about our upcoming launch, go to https://journeyconnect.org/daytona

What are you really living for—and who gets to decide what matters most in your life?

This week on The Breakdown Podcast, Matthew Rhoads sat down with Pastor James to break down his message rooted in Philippians 1:12–21. Their conversation explores how Paul, even while facing prison, criticism, uncertainty, and circumstances beyond his control, refused to let any of those things determine the direction of his life. His focus was clear: "For to me, to live is Christ."

They discuss what happens when happiness becomes dependent on success, acceptance, relationships, or circumstances—and how putting Jesus at the center changes the way you see your identity, your purpose, and your joy.

If you've been asking what really matters or wondering how to stay grounded when life doesn't go according to plan, this conversation will challenge you to decide what gets to shape your life and where you're placing your hope.

What are you really living for—and who gets to decide what matters most in your life?

In Philippians 1:12–21, Paul writes from prison while facing circumstances he cannot control, criticism he cannot stop, and a future he cannot predict. Yet Paul refuses to let his chains, other people's opinions, or an uncertain outcome determine the direction of his life. He has already decided what matters most: "For to me, to live is Christ."

If your happiness depends on being accepted, reaching a certain level of success, finding the right relationship, or getting through your current season, you will always be controlled by something you cannot guarantee. But when Jesus becomes the center of your life, your circumstances no longer get the final word.

This message will challenge you to examine what is really driving your decisions, shaping your identity, and determining your joy. You may not be able to control everything that happens to you, but you can decide what matters most to you.

Even in the place you didn't choose, Jesus still matters—and God is still working.

Everyone helping someone take steps to follow Christ. This is the vision of Journey Church, led by Pastor James Hilton, with multiple locations throughout Central Florida.

https://journeyconnect.org

Website: https://journeyconnect.org

Facebook: http://facebook.com/journeyconnect
Instagram: https://instagram.com/journeyconnect/

To support Journey Church's mission and help us transform lives both locally and globally, visit: https://journeyconnect.org/giving

If you're in the Daytona Beach area and want to learn more about our upcoming launch, go to https://journeyconnect.org/daytona