by Ester yusufu | 4 October 2022 08:46 am10
In life, everyone experiences different kinds of days. Some mornings, we wake up feeling joyful, peaceful, and successful. Maybe we receive good news at work or in our family, and everything seems to be going well. But there are also mornings when things don’t look good—we might be sick, hurt by others, face losses, or experience hardships like accidents or bad news.
As humans created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), it’s natural to experience both joy and suffering. God allows these seasons so that we can mature spiritually and grow in our faith according to His perfect will (James 1:2-4).
Consider this biblical truth:
Ecclesiastes 7:14
“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.”
This passage shows God’s sovereignty over all seasons of life, both good and bad. We can trust that both are under His control and purpose.
Why Does God Allow Both Good and Bad Times? Here Are Three Theological Reasons:
1) To Cultivate Joy and Gratitude
God is the source of all joy (1 Peter 1:8). Even if we don’t always feel joyful, God promises to refresh and bless us in His timing (Psalm 30:5). Rejoicing in God during good times encourages a heart of thankfulness, which strengthens our relationship with Him.
“Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.” (James 5:13,)
This teaches us that joy is not just an emotion but an act of worship and gratitude toward God.
2) To Foster Reflection and Dependence on God
Trials often bring humility and deeper reflection. When we face suffering, we recognize our limitations and the need for God’s grace (2 Corinthians 12:9). Instead of relying on ourselves, we learn to lean on God’s strength and wisdom.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)
This process deepens our faith and aligns our trust more fully with God’s promises.
3) To Teach Humility and Submission to God’s Will
God desires that we acknowledge His sovereignty daily. James reminds us to submit our plans with humility, recognizing that life is fragile and ultimately in God’s hands.
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city… Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” (James 4:13-15)
Starting and ending each day with prayer and gratitude helps us submit to God’s timing and purpose.
God’s design for life is a rhythm of seasons, each with its divine purpose. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 beautifully captures this truth:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.”
This passage reminds us that all life experiences have meaning within God’s sovereign plan.
God allows both joy and hardship as part of our spiritual growth and dependence on Him. Whether in good times or bad, let us trust God’s sovereignty, rejoice with gratitude, reflect with faith, and humbly submit to His will every day.
May the Lord strengthen and guide us through every season we face.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2022/10/04/times-we-must-go-through/
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