Guys, the gospel changes our perspective. Our perspective says avoid trouble at all cost. Our perspective says run from hardship, avoid struggles, pretend they don't happen, dodge negative energy. We see trouble, we see affliction as chaotic or some sort of a random piece of artwork that doesn't make any sense. But the gospel changes our perspective. If we can move a little and see the troubles and the afflictions of this life a little differently, then we begin to see a masterpiece of artwork.

Look at God. He was willing to die for us to make all things right. When we see a God whose character is compassion and comfort, suddenly hardship and struggles and troubles and afflictions … don't seem so intimidating. Hardship and struggles and troubles and affliction, they become the things that cause us to experience a really good God. It’s an uncomfortable truth, but you need to hear it. You cannot know a God of comfort without a life of trouble.