Taking the Good with the Bad

"In the day of prosperity be happy, 
But in the day of adversity consider— 
God has made the one as well as the other
so that man will not discover anything that will be after him."

Ecclesiastes 7:14

We can't predict how our lives will play out. There will be good days and there will be bad days, and God has made them all. But if God is good -- and His word says that He is -- then why does He permit bad things to happen? While we can't know or understand the entirety of God's purpose, it is clear from the Bible that suffering is not random and that God will use it to build our character. "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:3-5)  Most of the important lessons in life are learned at the feet of grief. Talk to a Christian who has embraced it and allowed God to teach them through the pain, and you will find a child of God who has a stronger faith, a deeper understanding of grace and more compassion for others. 

"Those who don't let sorrow do its work, who deny it, trivialize it, or try to explain it away, remain shallow and indifferent. They never understand themselves or others very well. In fact, I think that before God can use us very much, we must first learn to mourn." —David H. Roper