Why?

Today's Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:4
"[God] comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us." --MSG[2]

Why do I have to go through all this? When will my life be back to normal? When will all this hardship pass away? Is God really listening to my prayers? Does He truly care?

These are just a few of the many questions we ask ourselves when we're right in the midst of a storm. Everything around (and within) us seems dark and uncertain -and our feelings betray us making us believe that we're alone in this world, that somehow God has forgotten us...

In chapter 3 of the book of Job, the patriarch went even as far as cursing the day he was born! Naturally, his agony had become uncontrollable, the logical reasons behind his suffering senseless, the emotional support he needed not there, and God seemed so far away and uninterested in hearing his case...

In the New Testament the Apostle Paul also experienced very difficult times, including being sent to prison several times for no other reason than his belief in Jesus. During all this, however, he became clear in understanding the spiritual reality behind it all: God was allowing such times to prepare him to be as comforting and encouraging to you and me as God had been to him.

My brother and sister, don't let your present challenges rob you of tomorrow's opportunities to be a blessing to others. Hang on tight and keep trusting that God is still there, and that this temporary test shall also pass. Meanwhile, be assured that someone somewhere sometime will be eternally impacted by your life and forever grateful.

am i shining for you? And... who is shining for me..