10 Reasons Why God Allows Us to Go Through Hardships

Over time, humans have wondered why God allows us to face hardships, from personal trials to global crises. Let’s explore some reasons that Christians have given to shed light on the purpose behind our struggles.

1. Hardships Build Our Faith

On a popular social media thread, some Christians have stated why they believe God allows us to go through hardships. One commenter mentioned that hardships build character, faith, and the fruit of the spirit.

2. Hardships Help Us to Be More Like Christ

Another commenter said that maybe suffering helps people become more like Christ. Romans 5:3-5 talks about how there can be a silver lining even in tough times. It says that going through difficulties can make people stronger and more patient, which in turn builds their character.

As a result, they find hope. And this hope is solid because it comes from God’s love, which He shares with them through the Holy Spirit.

3. Hardships Produce Endurance

One commenter simply recited the following Bible verse: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result so you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

4. Hardships Teach Us Compassion

Another commenter shared that God uses broken things to build the strongest testimonies. They mentioned that experiencing temporary homelessness can help you gain understanding and compassion for those who are homeless. Similarly, facing a chronic illness can enable you to provide reasons for hope and support to those who haven’t embraced Christ.

This goes beyond just difficult times. All aspects of human life can be valuable tools for God to connect with people facing similar situations through the message of the gospel.

5. Hardships Allow Us to Be Rewarded in the End

Someone else commented that Christ’s teachings didn’t promise a smooth journey during difficult times, but they did offer the assurance of a safe arrival once the challenges had passed. You can find more about this promise in the Book of Job.

6. Hardships Produce Perseverance

Another commenter simply recited the following Bible verse: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

7. Hardships Teach Us What Christ Had to Endure

One other commenter mentioned that in our world, sin has a strong presence, but they believe it’s important to find a way to cope with it. It’s worth noting that God, in the form of a human, experienced the most profound suffering. This included emotional and physical pain and even death, just as everyone will eventually experience.

8. Hardships Bring Us Closer to God

Another commenter stated that, as someone who faces daily pain, they’ve learned that suffering, regardless of its source, can draw people closer to God. Whether due to the sinful world or other reasons, suffering often makes individuals feel helpless, creating the perfect moment for God to connect with them.

While God could use supernatural means, He often prefers to communicate through human experiences. In their own life, they’ve noticed that intense pain heightens their awareness of their need for God, making it easier to rely on Him in moments of helplessness.

9. Hardships Are Just Part of Being Christian

Someone else in the thread mentioned that they wondered if it’s reasonable to think that, since Jesus faced suffering and told his followers to bear their own burdens, we should anticipate going through tough times, too.

Not only do they believe we will experience challenges, but they also pointed out that the Bible indicates we will share in Christ’s inheritance, meaning we can enjoy His glory and light, but also, maybe, the difficult parts of His journey.

10. Hardships Can Be a Blessing

Another commenter stated that hardships can be viewed in different ways. For example, they can be viewed as the consequences of choices or opportunities to grow closer to God. They may also serve as discipline or guard hidden blessings.

Regardless of perspective, enduring hardships with faith and prayer can reveal blessings and provide strength. Prioritizing one’s relationship with God is essential, and it can transform hardships into chances for growth and blessings.

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