When German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche famously said, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger,” he was probably not referring to God using difficulties in life to bring about good for us. When hard times drag us down in life, we tend to look at the negative effects it has and become aggrieved when our problems persist. But sometimes God allows difficulties in life to be used for good purposes.
One one occasion I found myself serving as an attorney for a defendant in court. I had no experience as a defense attorney, and I knew the prosecutor I was facing was experienced, but I was given the task because I was deemed responsible and I took my task seriously. The only stipulation was after the trial, all papers containing any information of the case had to be immediately terminated and I was charged not to loose any papers I was given. I was sent an envelope in the mail with the details of the case and was told to schedule a meeting to discuss them with the defendant. After many notes, I left the meeting feeling confident I could vindicate the defendant and they left trusting I would.
Leading up to the trial we had family stay with us, and soon after they left my confidential paper was missing. I grew frantic attempting to find it but came back disappointed after every failed attempt. On the day of the trial, just hours before I was scheduled to appear, I grew grievously ill. I felt so bad that I laid down on the concrete floor at work praying, above all, that my paper would appear. I looked up from the floor and I saw something sticking out from a book. I didn't see it when I was standing, but I noticed it when I was on the floor. I reached up and began to slip it out from the cover when I saw the official court crest and stamp with my name. “It’s here, I found it!” I exclaimed, still shaking from the joy of the find and weakness from my body. Soon after I found the envelope my illness left and I went to court awed by the fact God had used my sickness to allow me to find this letter.
Though not every difficulty will come and leave so suddenly, we can rest assured that God has a will and plan for us in all that happens in our life. We are told “the Spirit helps us in our weakness” because “God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Because of this, we are “more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8).
