Dr. Ben Carson recently appeared on "The Candace Owens Show," a conservative talk show hosted by PragerU's Candace Owens. At one point during the show, Owens asked Carson why he is still working, writing, giving speeches, and working so incredibly hard. He is a 68-year-old author, former neurosurgeon, and current United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He has found much success in his life- he could easily and happily retire. Carson replied to Owens' question by citing James 1:27 — "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." He then said, "God puts us here for a reason."

Not everyone can be Ben Carson. Not everyone has the brains or the guts to be a neurosurgeon. Most aren't talented enough to be a doctor and author and politician. Life is hard, and that's an understatement.

But Carson is right. God does put us here for a reason.

Hard times are inevitable in this life. We will lose friends and family, feel alone, face failure. Sometimes we may not be able to see any good in the world at all.

It is these times that we must turn to God.

So often people turn away from God when they fall on hard times. I once had an English teacher who said she believed in God until her dad unexpectedly died from a heart attack. She said that, if God loved her, how could He have let that happen? How could He have caused her so much pain?

The answer, of course, is because this is not Heaven. This is Earth. On Earth, tragedies occur. Pain exists. Suffering isn't optional.

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, a Canadian psychologist and college professor, stated in a lecture that he does not believe the purpose of life is to be happy. Many things can make you happy — a puppy, a partner, a good cheeseburger. However, these things are fleeting. Once they are gone, your happiness goes with them.

So if the purpose isn't to be happy, then what is it? According to Peterson, it is to suffer. Life is suffering and life is pain. Once you accept that, you can stop being miserable because you'll stop putting your faith and happiness in fleeting material pleasures. You'll stop wondering why you aren't happy and why life hurts so much. You'll accept that you're going to suffer in this life, but that you will experience times of great joy as well. You'll learn to struggle in the path of God.

Oftentimes it feels like we are stumbling along, blindfolded and disoriented. Just when we think we're finally on the right path, we reach a roadblock. It can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening.

This is when we must turn to God and ask Him to show us the way. Only He can open our eyes, and only His way will bring us a satisfying life.

Put your faith in God, and you'll find the reason He put you here.