The blessing of Hardship

Bad times lead us closer to God. 

It is when we go through a hardship that we realize what is truly important to us in life. In a single life event, everything can change. Here, teetering on the edge of the unknown, life's priorities press upon a person in a ordered fashion - Nothing else matters but your health and wellbeing, your loved ones, and most importantly, your relationship with God. 

Seemingly, bad times show where you are in your walk with God, and these same 'bad situations' can be a blessing in disguise in some ways. '

Why?

Our faith can come sharply into focus here - Through prayer, we can turn to God, and lean on Him. This process inevitably builds a stronger faith. 

This same faith lends itself to an amazing relationship with God, Instead of having our faith life on the back burner, it is now front and center. Faith is stoked into a consuming fire that pushes us closer and closer to God, and an immense building pressure to not only know Him more, but also to follow Him and His commands closer. We see prayers answered.

This faith becomes stronger than the word 'faith' can demonstrate. It is a faith that knows God exists, and a faith that knows that He loves you and listens to your prayers. This faith becomes a steady approach to God in prayer, many times to simply say 'Thank you!' in praise. Approaching others with the Gospel isn't a chore, but a time where you can say 'God is real, He loves you, and this is what He has done for me!'. Life becomes the living embodiment of Philippians 1:21. 

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." 

(Philippians 1:21, ESV)

We learn to become free from the bondages of life during this time. Our joy becomes free from 'stuff' and the many social matters of this life. We can know that at the end of the day, God loves us, He hears us, and nothing can separate us from this (Romans 8:38-39, ESV below).

In short, Bad situations - as hard as they may be - can be a blessing. These times ground us in our relationship with God, and build a strong foundation as Christians. 

Interested in Christianity? The Gospel in a Nutshell can be a great place to start! And church of course :)