Why are some difficulties good for you?
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds"- James 1:2
God literally designed difficulties to be your personal trainer for character development. I know that sounds crazy when you're going through it, but hear me out because this completely changed how I look at my problems.
The Bible says we should consider it pure joy when we face trials because testing develops perseverance. Pure joy. Not just tolerate it, not just get through it, but actually find joy in the struggle. That seemed impossible to me until I started looking at difficulties like spiritual workouts.
Think about it. When you go to the gym, you're literally putting your muscles under stress and creating tiny tears in the tissue.
It's uncomfortable, sometimes painful, but that's exactly how they grow stronger. Your character works the same way. God allows difficulties because He knows they're the only thing that can build spiritual muscle. You can't develop any other way.
I used to pray for easy circumstances, but now I pray for the strength to handle whatever comes. Because easy doesn't build faith. Easy doesn't teach you to depend on God. Easy doesn't show you what you're actually capable of when you partner with the Creator of the universe.
Every single person in the Bible who did something significant went through serious difficulties first. Joseph had the pit and prison before the palace. David faced Goliath before he became king. Moses had forty years in the desert before leading Israel out of Egypt.
Your current struggle isn't punishment. It's preparation. God isn't trying to break you down, He's trying to build you up into someone who can handle the blessings and purpose He has6 waiting for you.
Those difficulties you're facing right now are actually proof that God believes in your potential more than you do. Shalom