Download Audio (8.7MB)
Many circumstances in life can be viewed through a positive or a negative lens. Take a rainy day, for example. Some might complain about it, while others might consider it a blessing because it waters their crops or grass. Sometimes something that one person would jump at the chance to do and be thankful for, such as moving to a new location and starting over or taking on a new career or vocation, another person could find very challenging and a struggle.
On the other hand, there are some things that are not merely a matter of personality or circumstances, which everyone would agree are not good or desirable in the natural sense: a physical handicap, a car accident, a house burning down. A physical handicap, for example, can cause a great deal of pain and difficulty, and it is natural to struggle with it emotionally. Yet even our handicaps can be turned into stepping stones to spiritual growth and a closer walk with Jesus.
Each of us has something that could seriously hinder us if we allowed it to become the defining narrative of our lives. The wonderful thing is that God has made a way for us to overcome those things, and in fact, He intends for us to do so. Because we are His children who He loves, our circumstances do not have to dictate our outlook on life or our joy of the Lord, which the Bible says is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). In fact, we are called to “give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).
We don’t have to allow ourselves to be defined emotionally, mentally, or spiritually by the problems of our distant or recent past. God often allows the challenges we face so that we will learn to overcome them and grow stronger in the process. We can even use our difficult experiences in life to help others, as Paul pointed out in his writings: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).
History has recorded the stories of the many men and women throughout the centuries who rose above seemingly insurmountable odds to accomplish great and extraordinary achievements. They had to fight to overcome the obstacles they faced, but in so doing they became stronger, and their stories provide an example to us of faith and perseverance.
Beethoven was stone deaf when he composed some of the most beautiful music ever written, and Thomas Edison was deaf when he invented the phonograph. Renoir painted some of his finest masterpieces when his fingers were so twisted by rheumatism that his artist’s brush had to be strapped to his hand. Handel’s right side was paralyzed when he composed his greatest work, “The Messiah.” When he completed the most well-known portion of this, “The Hallelujah Chorus,” he reportedly told his servant, “I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself seated on His throne, with His company of angels.”1
Very often it’s also the people who have overcome difficulties who are in turn able to help others have the courage and faith to overcome theirs. Their personal examples can bolster our faith that God can help us to persevere and to rise above in very challenging situations.
If Helen Keller hadn’t been blind and deaf from infancy, she never would have had the opportunity to become the inspiration that she was—and continues to be—to millions, and she never could have said, “I thank God for my handicaps, for through them I have found myself, my work, and my God.”
Booker T. Washington was born a slave and worked in coal mines and salt mines before becoming an educator, a spokesman for African American causes, and founder of a college for young African Americans. A famous quote from him says, “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.”
And of course there are many stories in the Bible of those who overcame obstacles by faith, listed in Hebrews 11, “who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised … whose weakness was turned to strength” (Hebrews 11:33–34). Weakness turned to strength is a theme in the Bible. That is how Paul overcame his affliction, when Jesus told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
It is helpful to know that there are long-term benefits to the problems, struggles, and difficulties we face, even if we can’t see them at the time. If we didn’t have any, we could become complacent and meander along casually, not building the strength of character that comes from overcoming adversity. The beauty that often results from suffering wouldn’t have a chance to blossom in our lives. We wouldn’t have the same deep appreciation for loved ones and friends who walk by our side in times of need. We wouldn’t have as much understanding or compassion for others who are going through times of trouble or know how to be a help to them.
Jesus has promised to shepherd us through life, to lead us to still waters and green pastures, and to guide us in good paths (Psalm 23:1–3). Even when we are walking through dark valleys, He will be with us and comfort us, and His goodness and unfailing love will pursue us all the days of our lives (Psalm 23:4–6). So no matter what situation comes up, remember that God knows what you’re going through, and He has promised to meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
He will give you direction when you don’t know what to do, comfort when you feel like you can’t go on, courage to be a witness when you’re afraid, solutions to conflicts in relationships that seem beyond repair, the encouragement you need to do His will when you’re struggling with a difficult decision, and the strength that comes only when you lean on His strength. All these riches are ours in Jesus when we put our trust in Him and take our problems, trials, needs, and burdens to Him! “Turn all your worries over to him. He cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Sometimes God uses troubles to teach us to turn to Him for help or to redirect us when we are straying from Him in some way. He also uses our trials and difficulties to humble us, to teach us patience and mercy, and to remind us how much we depend on Him and His grace for every blessing in life. If we never had any trials, we wouldn’t find our strength in God. We also wouldn’t experience the thrill of discovering that He will come through for us!
The beautiful colors of the rainbow can only be seen through the prism of rain. It takes both rain and sunshine to make a rainbow. If we can see the rainbows through the rain, we can learn to “Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).
Life is not a cloudless journey,
Storms and darkness oft oppress,
But the Father’s changeless mercy
Comes to cheer the heart’s distress;
Heavy clouds may darkly hover,
Hiding all faith’s view above,
But across the thickest darkness
Shines the rainbow of His love.—Flora Kirkland
Originally published February 2008. Adapted and republished July 2026. Read by Lenore Welsh.
1 Joel Woodruff, “Worshipping the Messiah During Advent,” C. S. Lewis Institute, December 1, 2023, https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/worshipping-the-messiah-during-advent.
