The Purposes of God in Our Difficulties
Please open your Bible and read:
(Romans 8:28 – 29 )
If we could choose the number of difficulties we want to face in a month, most of us would pick zero. Yet God sees value in difficult times. Through His mighty power, He uses trials to accomplish His plans.
One of God’s purposes for us is a growing intimacy in our relationship with Him. But He knows we struggle to put Him first over our own interests. Many of us place higher priority on family and friends than on companionship with God. For others, finances, work, or even pleasures interfere. When the Lord sees that our attention is drifting away from Him, He might use hardships to draw us back so that we’ll refocus.
Another reason God allows difficulties is to conform us to the image of Jesus. Pain is a tool that brings areas of ungodliness to the surface. God also uses it to sift, shape, and prune us. The sanctification process, the building of Christlike character into our lives, starts at salvation and ends with our last breath.
A third purpose for stressful circumstances is to reveal true convictions. Our faith is tested in tough times. It’s easy to say, “God is good” when things are peaceful. But when everything goes awry, what do we believe about Him? And do our words and actions reveal an attitude of trust?
King David endured many heartaches: a disintegrating family, personal attacks, and betrayal by close friends. But through his trials, he gained deeper intimacy with God, stronger faith, and more godly character. Won’t you let God accomplish His purposes in your present situation?
About the Author
This devotional was written by Dr Charles Stanley. Read more about him here: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/charles-stanley/
Related Reading
Beauty from ashes: http://christianwomentoday.com/closet/kathleenp.html
I concur with Dr. Stanley. I have experienced many difficulties during my life: physical, mental/emotional, social, to name a few, but God has always been there for me. A person that knew me, once asked, “Why do you keep getting up?” My answer to that person was,”I keep getting up because there is no future in staying down.” It has been an amazing life for me to date. Out of these struggles, my Father has allowed my wife and I to speak into the lives of others in their struggle. We have noted first hand that when one part of the body hurts the whole body hurts. He never leaves us or forgets about us. He is awesome in all His ways.