“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”

2 Cor. 11:30

Why would God let us go through so much pain? It’s a question many of us are frequently asking. We think the Lord should protect us from harm and hardships, but he doesn’t always do so.

We ask, “why me?” or “why is this happening to me?”. Often times that is not the right question. Simply knowing the “why” behind adversity or trials does not necessarily equip us to withstand them. We think faithful Christians don’t deserve to suffer, but from God’s perspective, suffering is part of being a Christian. If we all had lives of ease without pain, we’d never need know God, because we would never need Him. Could it be that a better question might be “what am I learning through this trial” or “how is the Holy Spirit molding me through this adversity”?

Adversity teaches us things that simply reading the Bible never will. If what we believe is never tested, it remains head knowledge. How will we ever know the Lord can be trusted in the midst of trouble if we’ve never experienced hardships?

God gives us opportunities to apply truth to the difficulties in our lives and find him faithful.

Trials can build faith or turn into discouragement and self-pity – it’s up to us.

Questions

• Do I fight my trial, opposing it?
• Do I apply God’s truth to my trial?
• Is this hardship building discouragement and self-pity in me or faith in God?
• Do I put this adversity in the proper perspective, realizing the trial is not about comfort or peace but a battle for my eternal soul?

Prayer

Strengthen my mind and heart as I go through this current trial. Remind me of what is true. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing and honoring to you God. Be my peace today. Be my love today. Be my strength today.