Why does God make us go through hard things?
This is such a loaded question. My short answer is that God uses hardships to bring us closer to Him!
As an example, I recently had a wisdom tooth pulled. (Local anesthesia, I was not put under.) I was so nervous for the appointment & I spent the days leading up to it praying that I would have the strength to endure without being anxious or worried. I read my Bible more, trying to find verses that would comfort me through it. (Because nobody likes having teeth pulled lol) And what happened? I grew SO much closer to God, the appointment was much quicker & easier than I expected, and I got to PRAISE GOD afterwards for His goodness. Such a win.
Something else about this question that’s worth noticing—sometimes God isn’t the one making hard situations happen. Sometimes we are in tough situations because of our own sinful nature or because the enemy is trying to attack you. Regardless, God is sovereign! If it isn’t something He put in your path, He is at least allowing it to happen. Most likely, because He knows it’ll draw us closer to Him 🩵
God is good, all the time!
It's a question many of us grapple with: Why does God, who is good, allow us to go through such difficult or 'hard places' in life? My own experience with a wisdom tooth extraction recently brought this question sharply into focus, and I found myself diving deeper into scripture for answers and comfort. It's truly incredible how God uses these moments to refine our faith and draw us closer to Him, just like Elisabeth Elliot beautifully put it: "This hard place... is the very place in which God is giving you opportunity to look only to Him." While the reasons can be complex, influenced by our choices or even the spiritual battles around us, the Bible offers profound truths about God's sovereignty and purpose in suffering. Here are a few verses that have personally brought me peace and understanding, reminding me that even in the midst of trials, God is working for our good: 1. For Growth and Perseverance: One of the clearest biblical reasons for trials is spiritual development. James 1:2-4 tells us, "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." This verse is a powerful reminder that hardships aren't random; they're opportunities for God to grow us, making us more resilient and complete in Him. 2. Drawing Closer to Him: As I mentioned with my own anxiety before the dental procedure, these tough times often push us to rely on God in ways we never would otherwise. Psalm 34:17-18 says, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." When everything else feels like it's crumbling, we're compelled to 'look only to Him,' and that's often where we find His closest presence and strength. 3. Experiencing His Comfort and Strength: Sometimes, God allows us to go through hard things so we can personally experience His supernatural comfort and then, in turn, comfort others. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 speaks of God as "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." This shows a beautiful cycle of grace that emerges from our struggles. 4. Trusting His Sovereign Plan: Even when we don't understand the 'why,' we can rest in God's ultimate control. Isaiah 41:10 is a lifeline: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” This verse doesn't promise an absence of fear or dismay, but a constant, unwavering presence of God through it all. It encourages us to surrender our worries and trust that He is indeed good, all the time, even when our circumstances feel anything but. Reflecting on these verses has helped me reframe my perspective on challenges. Instead of asking exclusively, "Why me?" I've learned to ask, "What is God teaching me through this?" It's not easy, but leaning into His word during those 'hard places' truly transforms anxiety into an opportunity to experience His profound love and unwavering faithfulness. I hope these insights and scriptures bring you the same comfort and strength they've brought me on this journey of faith.