Streams in my desert: God’s Purpose in Difficult Times - if we could design an ideal life, most of us would skip times of hardship. But Scripture teaches us that God has a purpose in the storms of life. When problems press in on us, ungodly habits and attitudes tend to surface. Impatience, a quick temper, or reliance on something or someone other than the Lord may become apparent. The Holy Spirit will use tough times to smooth away our rough edges and produce the fruit of the Spirit in us. Hard times bring us to our knees in prayer and drive us to seek opportunities for His companionship. Our heavenly Father’s desire is for us to develop Christlike character. He wants us to grow closer to Him, experience the richness of His love, and wholeheartedly show Him devotion

Sunday, August 10, 2025

God’s Purpose in Difficult Times - if we could design an ideal life, most of us would skip times of hardship. But Scripture teaches us that God has a purpose in the storms of life. When problems press in on us, ungodly habits and attitudes tend to surface. Impatience, a quick temper, or reliance on something or someone other than the Lord may become apparent. The Holy Spirit will use tough times to smooth away our rough edges and produce the fruit of the Spirit in us. Hard times bring us to our knees in prayer and drive us to seek opportunities for His companionship. Our heavenly Father’s desire is for us to develop Christlike character. He wants us to grow closer to Him, experience the richness of His love, and wholeheartedly show Him devotion

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

"For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren" - Romans 8:28-29

Though we would rather skip life's hardships, God has a good reason for allowing them.

If we could design an ideal life, most of us would skip times of hardship. But Scripture teaches us that God has a purpose in the storms of life.

Cleansing.

When problems press in on us, ungodly habits and attitudes tend to surface. Impatience, a quick temper, or reliance on something or someone other than the Lord may become apparent.

The Holy Spirit will use tough times to smooth away our rough edges and produce the fruit of the Spirit in us.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23

Companionship.

When life is good, we may spend less time with the Lord and start taking our relationship with Him for granted.

Hard times bring us to our knees in prayer and drive us to seek opportunities for His companionship.

Our heavenly Father’s desire is for us to develop Christlike character. He wants us to grow closer to Him, experience the richness of His love, and wholeheartedly show Him devotion.

Life brings trouble to us from many sources.

But the common thread in all trials is the Lord’s desire and ability to use them for our good and His glory.

As a result, we’ll be able to let go of ungodly traits and experience sweet communion as we walk in intimacy with our Father.

Related Scripture

Romans 8:28-29

Galatians 5:22-23

Jeremiah 6-8

Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 6-8

Charles Stanley

Charles Frazier Stanley Jr. (September 25, 1932 – April 18, 2023) was an American Southern Baptist pastor and writer. He was senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta for 49 years and took on emeritus status in 2020. He founded and was president of In Touch Ministries which widely broadcasts his sermons through television and radio. He also served two one-year terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, from 1984 to 1986.