Faced with this predicament, some complained, while others sought help from their local MPs. If this too were to happen to us, how would we handled it? In fact, we will often encounter unfavourable events: the body falls sick suddenly; ill health; financial difficulties in business; accidents; work-related problems; rebellious children, etc. No one’s life is smooth sailing. The question is whether or not it robs us of our peace and happiness. Do we lose hope and our faith in God because of this? First, God has given His children a very precious promise: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
This verse spells out very clearly that if you were God’s children, that is, Christians, God will ensure that everything that happens to us would work for our advantage. This advantage may not be what we could understand at the moment. We could feel puzzled. Sometimes, we also wished that God would immediately remove these uncomfortable problems. If, however, we believed that God is all powerful, and that the Lord controls everything, then we should also believe that these unfortunate events before us now are permitted by God, and are means by which he brings us good things. This brings us hope to enable us to overcome or go through them.
In another verse, God explained to Paul why He allowed sickness and sufferings in Paul’s life: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). God allowed certain problems to stay in Paul’s life so that Paul could experience God’s grace, and experience in greater measure the power of resurrection. We all admit to one truth: we experience God during the lowest points of our lives and during difficulties. When everything is smooth sailing, we would easily forget God. Therefore, God allows difficulties in our lives so that we would follow Him closely, experience His workings, know Him as a loving Father, and an all powerful God. This is one immediate great benefit. This does not imply that when faced with a difficulty, we do not need to solve the problem. We pray to God for wisdom: “if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do” (James 1:5-8). God’s wisdom is found in His word. When we obtain direction from God’s Word to overcome difficulties, we must obey it whole-heartedly without doubting.
When we understand that behind all our struggles lies God’s good intentions for us, we should stop complaining, and give thanks for all things. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). In fact, we should start the habit of giving thanks in our daily lives. Regardless of great or small things, learn to give thanks, because God’s hands protect His children in things that are great or small.