“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
When reminded that God does not give us any burdens we cannot handle, Mother Teresa replied, “I know, but sometimes I just wish He didn’t think so highly of me.”
Although it’s true that tough times can challenge us and shape our character, most of us would prefer that God would find another teaching method!
Hitting rock bottom is not fun, but crises do offer opportunities for growth and service. For instance, sometimes God allows us to go through hard times so that we can learn to truly trust Him. You see, when we do choose to trust God—even when there is no concrete evidence of His presence—we demonstrate real faith. And that faith is not only demonstrated to God; it is a powerful witness to everyone who sees what we have gone through.
Look at the example shown by Joseph in Genesis. After thirteen years of miserable setbacks, the first thing he did was stand before Pharaoh and share his testimony of his faith in God.
What a magnificent witness to the glory of God!
So when facing tough times, recognize the opportunity you have to build trust in God, deepen your faith, and become a powerful witness for your heavenly Father.