All Suffering Isn't Bad - Personal Growth Through Suffering

Things don't just happen randomly. If you're going through stuff and suffering, it's because God is allowing it. Remember Job?
If you are ill or you have lost a loved one, or you have lost your job, or you have had an accident, it doesn't mean that God is against you or that He's abandoned you. Your heavenly Father knows what you are going through, He knows that you are suffering.
Suffering isn't necessarily a test or a punishment or part of God's plan; yet the circumstances of your life aren't just chance events. They are not happening because God overlooked something either. Everything happens for a reason.
How do you make sense of suffering?
Often, all you need to do is to change your perspective and look at things from a different angle. When you change how you think about something it can help you to see things in an entirely different light. Ask God to help you see events through His eyes.
God is all powerful, He can do anything He wants to. If God isn't doing what you want, stop and ask yourself why not. Remember, He sees the beginning from the end, if He lets have your way there may be even worse things ahead.
Maybe what you want isn't really what's best. Or, maybe God is doing what you asked, perhaps it simply doesn't look quite as you expected it to.
Sometimes God isn't looking to change your circumstances, He's looking to use them and change you through them.
Remember that God knows everything and that He is always with youHe loves you and wants the best for you.
"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." Jeremiah 29:11
"When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you." Isaiah 43:2If you are going through a difficult time, keep your eyes on God. Expect Him to walk with you through the circumstances and allow Him to use the circumstances to refine you. Draw comfort from God. God promises that He will restore your soul and that when you walk through trouble He will be with you. Look for Him there.
Allow your pain and suffering to strengthen you.
If you are suffering an injustice, wait for God to give you justice, don't take things into your own hands. Wait for God to act on your behalf and ask Him to give you patience while you wait.
Maybe God isn't doing what you want because He's waiting for you to learn something and to change. You can shorten the wait by cooperating with God and looking for God's purpose in allowing the situation.
Sometimes God allows suffering to get your attention. If that's what He's doing, it's for your good.
Whatever you are facing, know that God loves you. He's not out to harm you. Although it might seem impossible, ultimately, everything does work together for good to those who love God. God will use your suffering to strengthen and refine you, if you let Him.
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