Allen Hood is someone I always enjoy listening to. There’s something about the weight of what he says. It’s like he actually lives what he speaks about and has a rich friendship with God that validates the content of his talks.

This particular talk, entitled Growing Through Mistreatment, is something every one of us can benefit from. What do you do when people treat you poorly? How do you respond when others are prefers over you? Where is God in the midst of this mistreatment? These issues are discussed in the message.

What is the true measure of spiritual maturity? Many believe maturity is measured by either exuberance in religious activity, freedom in worship, mental apprehension of biblical concepts or impact on ministry. The most anointed in ministry or the most influential in various realms of life are considered to be the most mature. Few consider the quality of one’s interior life as the measure of passion and maturity, that God truly looks upon the heart. Few stop to ask, “How tender is my heart to God and how responsive is it to His name and ways?”

As believers we must cultivate a tender and responsive heart to God and be vigilant in the possession of our souls. The Bible warns of a time in the future when the love of many will grow cold and great pressure on the earth will result in unprecedented levels of suffering and mistreatment.

In this 2-part series, Allen Hood shows how responding rightly to mistreatment now is the surest path to maturity in this life and rewards in the next. “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).”

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