How does God use my life experiences?

Psalm 143:5I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done.

Life experiences can teach us about God.

John 16:31-33Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

As followers of Christ, we will experience many trials and sorrows. But these painful difficulties can strengthen our faith and confidence in our Savior who has “overcome the world.”

Romans 5:3-4We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

Difficult life experiences can help us develop our spiritual muscles, including endurance, character, and confident hope.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

When we have experienced God’s comfort in our sorrow, we will be prepared to comfort others.

James 1:2-4Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

The testing of our faith produces patient endurance in us as we mature in our relationship with God.