Tragedy wages an all-out war on faith, so take some practical steps to grab hold of God’s goodness.

First, invite God to use your suffering for his glory. Most Christians ask God to remove the pain, not use the pain. The apostle Paul prayed for God to remove his thorn in the flesh. Later, he made this resolution: “I want to join [Christ] in his sufferings.” (Philippians 3:10 NIRV). Paul’s prayer changed from “remove this” to “use this.”

Also, resist the urge to demand a reason. If God gave one, would we understand it? Most important, guard your thoughts. Disallow any notion that runs counter to God’s truth. We may not understand the reasoning of God, but can we not trust the character of God? If he permits pain, it is for a higher purpose.

Read more Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life

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