“It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” (Psalm 119:71)

The majority of us avoid suffering at all costs. We spend lots of money on electronics, entertainment, and events that life should be fun, easy, and pleasant. We have more conveniences than any other yet we complain as much as or more than.

The God of love and truth steps into our misplaced expectations and shakes us up. He doesn’t do this to be mean. He knows that the best way for us to learn life’s most important lessons is through suffering. Sometimes God wants to get our attention to redirect us. He needs to discipline us so that we stop self-destructive behavior. He also wants to display our courageous faith to others around us. No matter what the cause, God always wants to teach us to depend on Him, and difficulties have a marvelous way of directing the eyes of our hearts to God’s love, truth, wisdom, and power.

We must develop spiritual eyes to see that God is doing something rich and wonderful in the midst of our suffering, we won’t avoid it. Suffering is one of the best ways to learn life’s more important lessons.