All of us experience bad things as we go through life. The severity of the problems vary, but all will experience “troubled waters.” The question should not be “how can I avoid suffering completely,” but rather, “how can I best go through trials when they do come?’ Too many people (even Christians) are unprepared emotionally and spiritually when tragedy strikes.
There is something good to come out of bad things life. “Every cloud has a silver lining” is very true, especially for Christians. The major blessing to be gained from suffering is that we inevitably get down on our knees. When troubles come Christians draw closer to God and, consequently, grow spiritually closer to their Creator.
I am personally thankful for the good life, but, at times, even more thankful for bad times, because I grow closer to God. It is a time of “cloudless dependency,” where I know only God has the ability to help me, the helpless. The longing for knowing God on a more intimate basis is a stronger craving than experiencing total bliss on earth. The people of this world desire to be carefree and without trouble; the Christian desires to be closer to God.
God said, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
When (not ‘if’) the next trial in life comes along, capture the beautiful blessing of drawing nearer to God. Draw out from the bad thing the good thing that is yours in Christ.
Mike