Sometimes –
When we ask for strength, He only gives us difficult experiences
so that we can become stronger through them;
We ask for wisdom, but He only gives us problems and asks us to try to solve them;
We ask for success, and He gives us strength so that we can cope with the work;
If we ask for courage, He will give us obstacles to overcome one by one;
When we seek love, He brings people in trouble to us, asking us to try to help;
We want to be popular, and He simply provides the opportunity to face the crowd;
Even though we may not receive what we ask for immediately,
Whatever we need, He has already fully provided!

A. How to face adversity:

1. View adversity as a test of faith: Adversity may come from others or from our own sins, or it may be a temptation from Satan, but there is always God's permission in it, and God's will is to benefit us.
2. See suffering with a new perspective: Our faith in adversity can bring glory to God and bear witness to Jesus Christ as our Savior;
3. When God is silent (see Joseph's faith in Genesis 37-41)
    i) God's silence is not a sign of abandonment or forsakenness, but a sign of shaping our character and fulfilling His plan in our lives.
    ii) Although God may seem silent at times, He is still in control; we just need to be patient and wait, and be faithful to the end.

B. The source of faith: God's protection:
Meditate Malachi 3:2-3
3:2 Who can endure the day of his coming? Who will be able to stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap.
3:3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver and will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they will offer an offering to the LORD in righteousness.

When a silversmith starts to refine silver, he must first grab a piece of silver and burn it on the fire. He had to hold the silver in the center of the fire where the heat was most intense so that the impurities in the silver could be removed. During the entire process of refining silver, the silversmith has to sit in front of the fire and watch; he not only has to hold the silver, but more importantly, he has to focus his eyes on the silver. If the silver stays in the fire for a little longer, it will be damaged.

How do we know that the silver has been completely refined? When the silversmith sees his own image in the silver.

Suffering and adversity give us an opportunity to reflect: Does the value of life depend only on good fortune, or can there be higher goals? Suffering is a great opportunity for us to take a step of faith and rely on God to lead us through these obstacles in life! This is a great opportunity to step back from your busy life and get ready to hit the road again, do you believe it?

C. Personal practice of actively trusting God:

1. Save money on a daily basis for emergencies (memorize the Bible – draw on God's promises/strength).
2. Walk in the light, expose negativity and difficulties, do not give up on yourself; do not give the devil a foothold (2 Corinthians 4:7-16; 12:7-10).
3. Build a support system.

Actively Trust in God