“Why does it have to be so hard?”

That was the question of the night last evening. 

It’s been a rough week.  My family is trying to sort out some things following my Dad’s death.  And this has been a less-than-stellar week for me here in Florida.  So when my sister asked me that question on the phone last night, it really hit home. 

Why does life have to be so hard?

The quick answer would be that I don’t know.  But that’s not the complete answer.  I don’t know why certain hard things come into the lives of certain people at certain times.  But I do know why God allows them.

He wants to use them.

So many times I want to cry out and tell God that I’m tired of the hard situations and I’m tired of the hard things and haven’t I learned this lesson already?  I did that alone in the car the other night.  Cars are a great place to just let it all out to God.   But when my little rant was over, God gently reminded me that there is a purpose behind all of my current hard things.

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.             (Romans 5:3-4)

I might not like the process, but the outcome will be good.  The hard things can be turned into hope. 

And as that passage in Romans goes on to say, “hope does not disappoint”.

Hope.  So much better than hard.   

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.                       2 Corinthians 12:10

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.              Habakkuk 3:18