God's Purpose In "Bad Times": What Do We Do In Difficult Times?

Bad times make you appreciate the good times. Remember bad days will pass.

God Uses Discipline

• God use time to discipline us.
• God use people to discipline us.
• God use unfavorable circumstances to discipline us.

God's Purpose During The Bad Times And Disappointments Of Our Life:

We all have "Bad Times," troubles or disappointments

Many times in life, we have disappointments. We are looking for certain things to happen and they don't always happen as expected.

1. We all have bad times due to health problems.

The bible tells us that this mortal body is corruptible. 

​2 Corinthians 4:16 New International Version (NIV)

     Therefore we do not lose heart.
Though outwardly we are wasting away,
​yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

2. Many people are disappointed with their looks.

At the end of the day, you will not remember the person with the beautiful face, but you will remember the person with the most beautiful heart and soul.

​​1 Samuel 16:7 New International Version (NIV)

     ​But the Lord said to Samuel,
​“Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

3. We have bad times with other people.

The only people worthy to be in your life are the ones that help you through the hard times and laugh with you after the hard times pass.

​Job 6:15 New International Version (NIV)

     But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams, 
​as the streams that overflow

Difficult times happen because of other people. Sometimes bad times happen due to other's evil plan.

What do we do in "Bad Times," how do we respond?

God has a reason for allowing things to happen. We may never understand His wisdom, but we simply have to trust His will.

1. Cry out to God and cast all your burdens to Him

Psalm 107:6 New International Version (NIV)

     ​Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
​and he delivered them from their distress.

​
​Psalm 6:4 New International Version (NIV)

     ​Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.

​Psalm 6:7 King James Version (KJV)

     ​Mine eye is consumed because of grief;
​it warmth old because of all mine enemies.

​1 Peter 5:7New International Version (NIV)

     ​Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

2. Surrender your life to His lordship,

The Lord will transform every area of your life that you surrender over to Him.

​Romans 14:7-8New International Version (NIV)

      ​7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

Pride is an issue at times.

3. As you pray: Ask God for wisdom.

If God brings you to it. He will bring you through it.

​James 1:5 New International Version (NIV)

     ​If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Ask Him to give you wise thoughts and counsel.

​God's purpose through "Bad Times," is to get us to trust Him.

God has perfect timing; never early, never late. It takes a little patience and faith, but it's worth the wait.

​Proverbs 3:5-6 New International Version (NIV)

     5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; 
    6 in all your ways submit to him,
​and he will make your paths straight.

​Romans 8:28-29 New International Version (NIV)

     28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

To be conformed into the image of Christ.