Hard Times, Consequences, & GOD’s Love… What does it all mean?

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 (NIV)

They say that a person’s true colors are shown in times of trouble or danger; I find it to be true. As people that live among others, we try are best to be in control, show others what we want them to see, or even be the person others want us to be, but when we’re placed in a situation that we can’t control and feel almost desperate or lost, we start to focus less on what others think and more on what we need to do to make it through that situation. Even as Christians, we’ll be placed in the corner where our true colors will come out so we can change and become better people. It’s a learning experience to be given tough times, and, in the world we live in, we have need to be able to go through a ton of tough times because they’ll come no matter what.

The question is, is GOD giving us tough times on purpose?

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. — James 1:13-15 (NIV)

It’s important to remember in those hard moments of life that GOD isn’t attacking you or out to get you just to see you cry. He’s not intently hurting you, but He is allowing things to happen. Think of this way: If the devil is using all his power to hurt and destroy people, and GOD is the one protecting us, then just because GOD lets one attack from the devil to hit its target doesn’t mean GOD created the attack. No matter what, GOD is in full control of the situation. He will never give you more than you can handle, even if it means giving you more than you THINK you can handle to show you how much you actually can deal with (1 Cor. 10:13). GOD is our Father; He’s loving and wants to protect, discipline, and teach His children… No matter what GOD does, love is at the very core of it.

So find comfort in those tough times that something good will eventually come out of it and trust GOD with it. This isn’t to say everything bad that may or is happening to you is GOD’s doing because we make choices everyday that can bring good or bad consequences that affect ourselves and others… But when tempted, resist; when you fall into sin, be quick to get out of it and ask GOD for forgiveness. No matter what happens in life, always praise GOD for His love, faithfulness, and everything He is.