God's purpose
If we want to be used by God we must prepare to suffer adversity for a good purpose. Although many may see adversity as something negative, this is not the reality. Adversity helps us grow spiritually, and God only allows it to last in our lives only until God fulfills His purpose in us.
1 Samuel 30: 6 “and David was greatly distressed, because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were bitter of soul, each one for his sons and for his daughters; but David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
Imagen source
God's main purpose is to conform us to the image of Jesus. Through adversity, God develops in the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control.
In addition to developing the fruits of the Spirit, God also achieves some goals by allowing adversity through pain and suffering such as:
- It catches our attention.
- Reveal our strengths and weaknesses.
- Show God's faithfulness.
- Strengthen our faith.
- It takes away our pride and selfishness.
- It enables us to serve.
- Prepares us to comfort others who are going through adversity.
To strengthen ourselves and endure adversity, we must do as David did, who spent time in the presence of the Lord. Because whether we have the support of others or face terrible adversity alone, God always empowers us to serve him and gives us the courage to face our problems, if we go and trust him.
Through adversity, God molds us to fulfill his purpose in our lives and become effective and mature servants, conformed to the image of Jesus his beloved Son.