When I go through difficult times in my life I want to believe that God will not put me into situations beyond what I’m able to handle. I would like to think he won’t put me into situations where there is no scenario I can win. The truth is very different, in fact, I believe that God purposefully puts us into situations we can’t handle on our own. Does this mean that God hates me or doesn’t want to see me succeed, absolutely not!

If God only put me in situations I could handle, then I would truly never need Him to work in my life. I would be strong enough, wise enough, and maneuver my way through life without His help, but I don’t want to live a life without His presence. In fact, we should count it all joy when we go through situations beyond our control (James 1) because it is in these times we know we must depend on Him to come through. In my weakness, He is strong. So as Paul once said, I will then be ecstatic (paraphrase) in my infirmities so that the power of Christ can rest in me (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Please don’t mistake the hard times in our lives as God’s punishment or as though He doesn’t like you. Instead, know that the hard times are meant to strengthen your relationship with Him. He longs for you to depend on Him, and when you allow Him to work in your hard times you will wonder why you ever tried to do life on your own.