Praise God for the hard times.

[Markus]

I pray that God would give me the strength to not only endure the difficult times in life, but to praise Him through it all. He never puts us in a situation that we cannot grow through. He never leaves us. He always loves us. If we are to strive to be like Him, we should strive to do the same.

God, I pray that you would make me more than a mere human. I pray that you would make me like You.

[Reba]

All there really is to say is, "Amen."

[Gabriel 9.0]

That's great to see another praise God through no matter what situation arrives.

[Mithrandir]

Our scripture reading this morning (I teach JH and HS sunday school) touched on this. People don't tend to grow much when things are going well. At least, not as much as when things are tough.

[Alexander]

It might sound like black humor but the quote, "Life is far more boring when you have no regrets" almost seems to reflect not only myself but every artist and person I've come to be close friends with.

Maybe that's why God created Satan and we're in this situation today. To understand why we needed God required the realization that we would be under constant torment without Him. And possibly, that's what makes us human.

[Momo-P]

It might sound like black humor but the quote, "Life is far more boring when you have no regrets" almost seems to reflect not only myself but every artist and person I've come to be close friends with.

Maybe that's why God created Satan and we're in this situation today. To understand why we needed God required the realization that we would be under constant torment without Him. And possibly, that's what makes us human.

Create? Nothing evil comes from God, God didn't create satan, satan created himself. I do agree that's probably one of the reasons God lets sin run around in this world (if everything was perfect, people wouldn't realize why they need God), but I can't say God probably likes satan doing what he's doing...

[Mithrandir]

Create? Nothing evil comes from God, God didn't create satan, satan created himself.

Friendly Mod Note: Let's not go there, please. Debate headed off.

[ADXC]

Well we do know that temptation which is evil does not come from God.
James 1:13 says so.

But there is also another type of temptation(In the KJV) that most people may not think about. Temptation as meaning God sending trials into the lives of believers for their good.
This is found in James 1:2. In this way we may be thankful to the Lord for sending "these" temptations into our lives not to destroy us, but to make us stronger in our walk with the Lord. So we can only rejoice in the Lord when He sends trials your way because He is only testing and strengthening your faith. So whenever you think the Lord is testing you, you should be glad He is doing it because if He wasn't then that would mean He has no concern for your future. Just as a note God always tests believers, there is never a point where He will stop and say "Oh thats enough, this person should be ready for heaven"(We as humans are never perfect and never will be perfect as we stay here on earth). Even in your old age He will continue to do it, otherwise the believer might get too cocky and be lead astray on the path to destruction.

So praise God for the hard times! (As the thread says.)

[sharien chan]

It's like that Casting Crowns song "Praise You in this Storm" He talks about that even though he's going through the worst storm of his life, and he can't hear God, he will still praise God for everything He has done for him. I tend to get into self pity a lot more than I should, considering everything God has blessed me with, and it really helps to worship and read the word and just remember everything God has done for us.

[shiroineko]

amen....thank you for posting that, I really needed to read and be reminded of everything He's given me...I want to praise Him through good times and bad, with Him there will always be a light at the end of the tunnel.

[ADXC]

Read 1 Peter 4:12-13.

Its good. Really good.