Nobody intends for life to be difficult. Suffering or storms are never requested. Nobody wants to navigate their way through raging torrents of grief, rejection, and hurt or struggle to emerge from the gloom of uncertainty. But if we have lived long enough, we know that this is true. Life includes everything.

Maybe that is why God often emphasizes in His word that difficulties are a necessary part of our journey. Because of it, we become more resilient, stronger, and more religious. He instructs us to "carry on rejoicing" despite our difficulties instead of being astonished by them. Because the individual who eventually emerges from the storm will be distinct from the person who entered. We can rest convinced that God works within us for our strength, to develop deeper character and faith, and to help us prevail.