Hardship That Makes Us Thrive

“Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes–the hardship that has come on us, on our kings and leaders, on our priests and prophets, on our ancestors and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today. Nehemiah 9:31-33 

  

  There are people who work very hard to become rich so that their children will not have to work hard, or suffer, or have to endure difficulty. Yet I have wondered if this is wise. If one never has to strive, to face hardship and difficulty, can they ever truly grow and mature? 

  It is hard to look at suffering as a gift, at best it is an unwanted and unlooked for gift. We do not welcome suffering in our lives and we do our best to avoid it. Yet suffering gives us a unique perspective on life. It can help us to reconsider our priorities. It can make us wiser, giving us experiences we would not have without suffering. 

  I have a hard time considering suffering as anything but a lousy experience. Yet looking back I must admit it has mellowed me, changed my perspective, made me acutely sensitive to the pain that others go through, and has helped me appreciate life more than I would have otherwise. 

  One day we may see our difficulties with a new perspective. But until then we must have faith that our heavenly Father is looking out for our good, bringing about an ultimate benefit that we may not understand in the here and now. Our suffering may bring us eternal benefits. 

  Fellow sufferer, I know how challenging it is when new troubles or old troubles are piling on. I understand that life often seems unfair. I will not tell you that your present difficulty is a good thing in itself. It may be painful and miserable. I can only say that we have a Father in heaven that we can trust, and in the final, big picture we may understand and appreciate it all much better than we do right now. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, though we do not welcome suffering and hardship, we welcome You into the midst of our pain and difficulties, and we know that all things work for our good in the end. Amen.