When tough times comes, we often ask, “Why me?”, but we rarely look beyond our pain or disappointment for how this current time of trouble can shape us to be better people, more useful people in the future.

The Bible assures us many times that God has good plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10 , Romans 8:28) and we can see in the lives of Job, Joseph, Daniel, and countless others that God turns bad situations in glorious victories for His Kingdom.

Paul once said to the early church that he was thankful for his weakness because he understood that his accomplishments came from God’s strength and not his own and therefore God’s grace and glory could shine through all the brighter (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

James understood also that it is through the tough times – the times when nothing is as we planned or imagined so we tell ourselves we aren’t good enough and the world and the enemy are backing that up – it is in these trying times that we have the greatest opportunity to grow.

You see, it is in our trials that we learn to persevere and it is in perseverance that we can mature and become more complete as children of God.

Because of our faith in God, we can do more than merely survive trials, we can come out on the other side thriving in Him. Every step we take that brings us closer to God is a victory. Every testimony we share of His greatness in our time of need that brings others one step closer to God is a victory. We may lose jobs, prestige, possessions, physical health, friends, and even loved ones, BUT God, God never abandons or forsakes us. He is there always to give us strength and peace and hope. Every trial is preparing us to undertake His great work in our lives and the lives of others.

The question then is not “Why me?” but rather “When trials come, will I wallow in the pain, disappointment, and unfairness OR will I trust in God and allow Him to work in me and through me during this difficult time? Will I feed my self-pity or will I serve God’s Kingdom interest?”.