It seems like every time we turn on the T.V. something else bad is happening. To make it closer to home, it seems like everyday we are face a new struggle. When we go through bad times we often ask, "Why God? Why are you allowing this to happen to me?" Why though do we get angry, bitter, and question God when He is the only one that can bring us hope and peace?

I believe part of the reason bad things happen to us is because we bring it on ourselves. We as humans sin, sin is not of God, but is of the devil. Because we sin we are allowing bad situations to come our way. But God is also allowing struggle to come our way for a greater purpose. First Corinthians 13:12 says, "Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely." God allows things to happen to us because He has a greater purpose for you to learn about, or even maybe for that situation to reach someone else in need.

When we do go through bad situations we usually question God. "Why would you let this happen to me?" or even sometimes we ask "God where were you when this situation happened?" We get so bitter, angry, and want to turn away from God even though He is the only way in which we can find peace and hope. God doesn't go anywhere, it is us that are choosing not to listen to His still soft voice and take His firm guiding hand. There is a quote by Levi Lusko that I love that says, "Suffering isn't an obstacle to being used by God. It is an opportunity to be used like never before. Run toward the roar."

We also often forget that Jesus knows what we go through. Jesus came down, he was tempted, and he went through difficult times. God sent Jesus to us not only to save us but to identify with us. There is a beautiful quote by John Stock that says, "We have to learn to climb the hill called calvery, and from that advantage point survey all life's tragedies because the cross does not solve the problem of suffering but supplies the essential perspective from which to look at it." So when we go through our hard times we should climb that hill, and listen to God. Listen to that still small voice that you try to push away, and He will show you how to go about your situation. And we should always keep in mind and remember that God knows what we are going through, He loves us, and wants to help us through life.