None of us are exempt from suffering. We all experience loneliness, criticism, discouragement, and mistreatment. Why does God allow these things to happen to us? It's because God is developing the character of Christ within us, and in order to do that, he must take us through the circumstances in life that he took Jesus through.
Did Jesus suffer? Was Jesus sometimes lonely? Was he tempted to be discouraged? Was he misunderstood, maligned, and criticized unjustly? Of course! Does this mean God causes tragedies? No. God is good. He will not cause evil or do evil. But God can use dark and stressful times for our good.
He'll use them to teach you to trust him: "We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead." 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NLT)
He'll use them to show you how to help others: "He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT)
And he'll use them to draw you closer other believers: "And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety." 2 Corinthians 1:11 (NLT)
So how can you expect God to work when you're going through difficult times?
In faith, refuse to be discouraged, knowing that God is for you.
In faith, believe God is with you and working things out for your good.
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