Do you ever wonder why you’re going through a particular trial or hardship? I do. Lots.

I especially wonder when it’s something incredibly difficult for me. Like the time I had an anxiety attack in an airport and I thought my throat was closing, never to open again. Or the time I lost my job due to a company reorganization. Or when I had delivery complications with my son.

In the midst of those situations, I often felt as though God was far from me. But, He also gave me wisdom to understand that somewhere, buried deep in that overwhelming tribulation, there was a lesson. What was He trying to show me, I wondered?

The Lord speaks about having a “brotherly love” (Romans 12:10) for one another and “treating others how we wish to be treated” (Luke 6:31) And, His word also says this:

“Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:1)

If it were completely up to me, would I have chosen to go through those difficult times? Probably not. I would have skipped the fear, worry, and tears. But God had a purpose — as He does with everything! And, perhaps that purpose was as the verse above explains: to comfort someone else who may find themselves in a similar scenario someday.

I’ve been blessed to share my anxiety struggle with many brothers and sisters, friends, and family members over the past 10 years. Each conversation is a reminder to me that my past (and ongoing) struggle may bring strength to someone else. What once was dark and dismal for me is now a source of strength. I never imagined something so negative in my mind would flourish into something positive. But, isn’t that how our Lord works? Turning impossibles into possibles?

God knows which person needs a friend, and in many instances, He’s led them to me — or me to them! I didn’t sign up for some of these life challenges by choice, but God chose me. Why? So I can help teach others what He taught me. Instead of asking “God, why?” I can now try to ask Him, “God, what?” What can I learn from this? What benefit could this challenge of mine bring to someone else?

What felt like a mess has become His message.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.