“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” 2 Corinthians 1:8-9
Life is full of heartaches. Ain’t God good? The Burnt Offering event to help feed more Haitian school kids was attended by as many people worship at our church during the summer. The event raised enough funds to feed over 13,000 meals for Haitian children through Trinity HOPE feeding programs. Ain’t God good? In this sin filled world we suffer, feel lonely and discouraged, and face criticism; and sometimes that can feel unfair…but it’s not. Ain’t God good?
Why does a good God allow us to face challenges? Did Jesus suffer? Was He sometimes lonely? Was He tempted to be discouraged? Was He often misunderstood and criticized unjustly? Yes! Jesus understands suffering better than anyone. Ain’t God good?
None of us are exempt from suffering, loneliness, discouragement, or criticism, because God is developing in us the character of Christ. In order to do that, He takes us through some of the same struggles that Jesus experienced. Does that mean God causes tragedies? No, God is good. He won’t cause evil or do evil. But God can use dark and stressful challenges for good. He will use them to show us how to help others, use us to help feed His children, to teach us to trust Him, and to draw us closer to other believers.
In the above passages, the Apostle Paul explains how he and his companions learned to trust God through hard times. Through their struggles, they became closer to God and also to other believers. Ain’t God good? So what should we do when we’re going through difficult times? Refuse to be discouraged. Remember God is with you…always. Rely on God’s protection and guidance. We all go through difficult times. The difference for those who believe in Jesus is our confidence in God’s promise to be with us, grow us in spiritual maturity, and use our difficulties for good.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay