Why Hard Times Can Be A Good Thing
Can hard times be a blessing or good thing? If you had asked me a few years ago, I would shake my head in disagreement. I would say that God does not create “bad things”. Therefore, there cannot be any good thing or blessing in hard times. While it is true that God does not wish us bad or make unpleasant things happen to us, it is also true that, sometimes, a hard season is just what is needed to propel us forward or prepare us for a next season or phase in our lives.
Take Jesus for an instance, if Jesus did not go through all he went through on the cross, I do not think we will be able to come boldly to God’s throne of mercy.
Hear me well! God is not the author of pain and suffering. As a matter of fact, there is no evil found in Him. However, we are in an earthly body and live in an earthly world where there is pain and suffering.
There is a tendency for the things that affect the world to affect us. However, in hard times, know that God has not left you and is doing His possible best to ensure that you come out victorious. In such circumstances, our best bet is to lean back, turn to God, and trust that He is creating something spectacular out of the situation. Bear in mind that He brings out the best in every situation.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4 NKJV
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
Hence, when you are going through challenging situations, be open to accepting those times and trust that He is going to make everything beautiful in His own time, as He is always seeking the best for you:
With that in mind, let us take a look at why hard times can be a great thing sometimes:
- Hard times lead us to pray: From personal experience, I pray the most when I am in a challenge or problem. Although, this is not advisable, it is the truth. Hard times points us to God and make us communicate with God more often. Get this straight! God will never punish us for not praying. But when these ugly situations happen, God can decide to use it for our good. And one common way He does that, is by forging intimate bond through our conversations with Him.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
James 5:13 NKJV
- Hard times make us rely on God: God wants His children to be God-dependent not self-dependent. However, when things are going smoothly, it is easy to forget that and solely depend on self effort. In hard times, we are reminded of our only source. Consequently, pointing us back to Him and teaching us to rely on Him for everything.
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
- Hard times produce endurance and patience in us: Show me a patient person and I will show you one who has a lot of life experiences. In a fast-paced world as ours, one way God produces endurance and patience in us, is through hard times. In these moments, He teaches us to trust the process and anchor our faith on His never-ending promises.
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance.
Romans 5:3 NKJV
Not all seasons or phases will be great. There are some that will pull, stretch, or even leave scars. Nevertheless, one thing that will make us victorious in hard times, is how we respond to it. Rather than be negative or pessimistic, endeavor to lean on God and trust that, if he allows it to happen, He is making something amazing out of it.
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