Horatio G. Spafford demonstrated his faith in God's goodness when he wrote, "It is Well with My Soul" in 1872. He wrote that after his four daughters drowned and soon after he went bankrupt. But he held onto the fact, that despite his circumstances, God was good. He wrote, "And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight." He knew that his faith was not in vain, and that someday he would see the meaning and purpose of all the tragedy surrounding his life at that moment.
Sometimes God allows us to go through trials, even when it is a result of evil actions or something done by others. We live in a broken and dark world where sin and suffering is the natural order of things. Whatever we have to endure, no matter how unfair, we can be sure God will use it for good. Romans 8: 28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." You have probably heard the quote, "Lord, give me faith like Daniel in the lion's den! Give me Hope like Moses in the wilderness! Give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense, so I can face my giants with confidence!" And faith like Mr. Spafford!
2 Corinthians 1: 3-5, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ." While God has not promised us an easy life, He has promised to be with us through those trials. In verse 5 "abundantly" and "abounds" is used. This means His comfort is available in massive quantities, ready to overflow, when we humble ourselves before the Lord. All we have to do is ask Him for His comfort. Pray. Go to His Word.
Apostle Paul, while writing to the Christians in Philippi, said in Philippians 4: 12-13, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Paul knew, no matter his outward circumstances, God would help him through. God would give him the strength he needed! That has not changed. God wants to help us. We just have to cry out.
Because we are human we want to ask "why God"? Sometimes we are not to know the answer and sometime we should change our question. Instead of "why", maybe "what am I supposed to learn from this"? Even if our circumstances are not good, we can trust God's purpose is good. So instead of looking at the negative, look for the positive. Philippians 4: 8, "Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." This will turn our attitudes around.
I can think about some tough times and I know God was good through all of it. As I mourned my dad, God was good. As I watched my child hurt, God was good. As I fought cancer, God was good. As I watched my child suffer, God was good. As I went through scary and uncertain times, God was good. Psalm 100: 5, "For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." So whatever we are going through now, we have to trust God, regardless of how we feel emotionally. Hebrews 11: 1, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Let your faith rest in the fact that "the Lord is good and his love endures forever." When we walk cheerfully, even in the midst of pain, we glorify God. When the world sees a cheerful Christian in the worst times, it brings glory to God. When we hang our heads it looks like we do not have any one to help us. Psalm 100: 2, "Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs."