For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. ~ Hebrews 12:6

God loves us so much that He came to earth as one of us, died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day. There is absolutely no greater love than that. And because God loves us so much, He wants the absolute best for our lives. Only He knows exactly what that "best" is and only He knows what it will take to implement it in our lives.

We must trust Him and know that everything He allows into our lives is there for our good. All the circumstances in our life, every single event, occurs only by His loving permission.

We must anticipate trials. Jesus suffered trials and He promised us trials

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33

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All the apostles suffered trials. In fact, not including Judas, every apostle except John was martyred! Trials are an expected part of the Christian life and preparation can be critical in successfully enduring them.

We must not be afraid of trials.

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13

The Apostle Paul knew suffering and regarded them as opportunities
     ~ 2 Corinthians 4:7-11, 16-18; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28; Hebrews 11:32-40

The Bible lists many reasons for trails:

• To glorify God
  ~ Daniel 3:16-18, 24-25
• Discipline for known sin
  ~ Hebrews 12:5-11; James 4:17; Romans 14:23; 1 John 1:9
• To prevent us from falling into sin
  ~ 1 Peter 4:1-2
• To keep us from pride
  ~ 2 Corinthians 12
• To build faith
  ~ 1 Peter 1:6-7
• To cause growth
  ~ Romans 5:3-5
• To teach obedience and discipline
  ~ Acts 9:15-16; Philippians 4:11-13
• To equip us to comfort others
  ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
• To prove the reality of Christ in us
  ~ 2 Corinthians 4:7-11
• For testimony to the angels
  ~ Job 1:8; Ephesians 3:8-11; 1 Peter 1:12

When faced with times of trouble remember that God loves us, He knows what is best for us, and He has a plan for our lives.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
        ~ Romans 8:35, 38-39