“The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.
Matt 17:22-23
Most of the time, God wants to do something painful to you (for you / with you).
And, most of the time, we cry out to God asking something like “God, why don’t you remove this from me. If you’re real God, take this away…”
Jesus’ purpose in life was to die to save a people who would bring God glory. Your purpose in life is to bring glory to God, and you can only do that through Jesus Christ and the fellowship of His suffering.
I remember Arnold Schwarzenegger saying once “it has to burn for it to grow” and it’s true spiritually. We learn so much more by the distressing things in life than the easy things. When you find your situation distressing, run to Jesus. Fall on Him, and trust Him. Look for the way God can receive the glory. You may not always find the reason, but if you genuinely seek, you will find your God.
