What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ . . . (Philippians 3:8)
The very first thing the devil got Adam and Eve to question in the Garden of Eden was the goodness of God. Satan’s sly suggestions caused them to focus on the one prohibition — “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:17) — rather than their abundant provision. The devil did not try to convince our first parents to question God’s existence, just His goodness. And each and every day Satan is busily engaged in trying to get us to do the very same thing.
When the storm winds are blowing and the waves of challenge are crashing over us, we all have a tendency to question the goodness of our God. When God does not fix our problems, follow our agenda, and fulfill our dreams, we begin to question His goodness.
But we shouldn’t be surprised when life in this world is difficult. God never promised us a problem-free life; in fact, He promised us just the opposite! Jesus made it clear that, because of sin, we will have trouble in this life. And because God is more concerned about our character than our comfort, He sends us into storms that are designed to grow and mature us in our faith.
Scripture commands us to “Consider it pure joy . . . whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). Paul said we are to “Rejoice in our sufferings” (Romans 5:3) — and Paul knew quite a bit about suffering! Because God is far more concerned about our holiness than our happiness, He will put us in challenging circumstances that cause us to deepen our dependence on Him. No matter how daunting or even dreadful your circumstances may be, hold fast to the truth that you are only passing through this life on your way to the new heavens and new earth, where there will be no more sorrow, storms, or suffering. Let this promise strengthen you to see the goodness of God, even in the badness of life.
Never forget, the most terrible thing that ever happened in the history of the world was the crucifixion of our sinless Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Sinful man looked into the eyes of the sinless Savior and proceeded to spit in His face and beat Him with whips and nail Him to a cross. They mocked Him as he hung there in agony. Yet out of that unspeakably evil event, God brought forth our greatest good: the way of salvation and eternal life through faith in His atoning death and supernatural resurrection.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 
Just because I experience unpleasantness or even pain in this life doesn’t change God, rather it is evidence of how He is changing me. This reminds me to take the “long view”, to think eternity as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:18. When I obtain the right perspective I can experience joy, drawing closer to God even though I may be in a trying time.