And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28
God’s Sovereignty and Purpose
We often find ourselves questioning why God allows bad things to happen in our lives. The truth is that God, in His sovereignty, has a purpose for everything. Even through times of great suffering, we are reminded that God is in control. He may allow hardships to unfold, but He also has a plan for our ultimate good. Believing in God’s purpose gives us hope, as we can trust that there is more happening than what meets the eye. We can lean on our faith knowing that nothing is outside of God’s reach or understanding. His wisdom is far beyond ours, and even though we may not understand the reasons for our struggles, we can rest assured that He is at work in our lives.
Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Psalms 139:16
“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” – Psalms 139:16
Proverbs 19:21
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” – Proverbs 19:21
Romans 8:18
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18
Building Character Through Trials
We often overlook the notion that trials can lead to personal growth. When we face difficulties, it can serve as an opportunity to develop essential qualities like resilience, patience, and compassion. The Bible teaches that struggles refine us and mold our character into something stronger and more admirable. Instead of being discouraged when bad things happen, we can view them as tests that have the potential to teach us valuable lessons. Each challenge is an opportunity to grow deeper in our faith and trust in God, thus fortifying our relationship with Him.
James 1:2-4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4
Romans 5:3-5
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5
1 Peter 1:6-7
“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” – 1 Peter 1:6-7
2 Corinthians 4:17
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17
Hebrews 12:11
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:11
Finding Strength in God
During tough times, it can be hard to find hope and strength. Yet, God desires to be our refuge and strength. He invites us to bring our burdens to Him and promises to carry us through our trials. By recognizing that we are not alone in facing our struggles, we gain reassurance from God’s promises. We can lean into His strength and trust that He will provide us with the courage we need to press on. In moments of weakness, we often find our greatest opportunity to rely on God deeply, affirming our belief that His support will always be there for us.
Psalms 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalms 46:1
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
Psalms 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalms 34:18
The Promise of Hope
It’s easy to feel hopeless when bad things happen, but the Bible offers us many promises of hope. We can hold onto the belief that God is always at work in our lives, preparing something beautiful even in the midst of pain. The promise of hope doesn’t mean we won’t experience hardships; it assures us that joy and restoration are ahead. By placing our faith in God’s promises, we can endure challenges with an assured hope that better days are coming. God wants us to be filled with joy and peace, so we need to keep reminding ourselves of His unwavering love and faithfulness.
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
Psalms 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalms 147:3
Revelation 21:4
“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’” – Revelation 21:4
1 Peter 5:10
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” – 1 Peter 5:10
Jeremiah 30:17
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord.” – Jeremiah 30:17
Empathy and Compassion Towards Others
When we experience pain and suffering, it equips us with the ability to empathize and show compassion to others. God calls us to be a source of comfort for those who are struggling. Through our own experiences, we can reach out to those in need, offering support and encouragement. Fighting through personal struggles prepares us to stand beside others as they face theirs. In doing so, we become vessels of God’s love, reflecting His compassion in a tangible way. Our trials can be opportunities to uplift others, creating a sense of community that can help us all shine brighter in the darkness.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
Psalms 119:50
“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” – Psalms 119:50
Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Hope in Eternal Life
As we navigate through life’s hardships, we are reminded that this earthly existence is temporary. Our true home is with God in eternal life. The Bible assures us that whatever we suffer here cannot compare to the glorious future awaiting us. This promise inspires us to keep our eyes on the eternal and rely on God’s love and faithfulness throughout our trials. We find comfort in knowing that God has already secured our future and that He walks with us each step along the way. Embracing the hope of eternal life encourages us to perspective on our current struggles and find peace amid adversity.
John 14:2-3
“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” – John 14:2-3
2 Corinthians 5:1
“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” – 2 Corinthians 5:1
Revelation 22:12
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” – Revelation 22:12
Matthew 6:20
“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” – Matthew 6:20
Revelation 21:3-4
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'” – Revelation 21:3-4
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on why God allows bad things to happen reminds us of the importance of trusting His sovereignty and purpose. We can find strength and wisdom in our difficult experiences, knowing that they can help us grow in character and empathy. Despite hardships, we hold onto the promise that God is always with us, offering hope and guidance through every storm.
We are reminded to support one another through trials, and in doing so, we showcase the love of God at work around us. Let us also remain assured that our struggles are temporary, guiding us toward the wonderful hope awaiting us in eternal life.
If you feel led, explore additional insights about God’s comforting presence at 1 Kings 22:12 or learn more about the call to keep growing in grace at 2 Peter 3:18.