And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.ROMANS 8:28

The middle third of the Book of Job is taken up with speeches as Job and his three friends try to figure out why he is suffering so terribly. His friends contend that he must be a great sinner — Job contends that this is not the case. He argues for his innocence — and at the end, God vindicates his case; but along the way, Job does not always speak as carefully as he might. In fact at one point Job seems to speak of God as if he is an enemy; as if he is, like a killer whale, making sport out of his victim.

But that is not what is going on. A young man who has been listening to the exchange speaks up in God’s defense and he speaks some of the wisest human words in the entire book. He says, “Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any” (job36:5ESV)

God doesn’t hate you, Job! That isn’t what this is about. God is something good in this situation even if no one can see what that is. He defends God further saying, “He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity… Behold, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him?” (job36:15–22 ESV).

God has purposes in our pain — perhaps to save us, perhaps to teach us — perhaps to do something we will never understand.

But he is good.

Hating God doesn’t make it any better. In the end, it is the worst of all decisions. Widen your perspective, and trust that his plans are purposeful.

David looked at his life, he saw God’s fingerprints all over it. We, too, should train our eyes to notice indications

Psalm 16:5-11
When David looked at his life, he saw God’s fingerprints all over it. We, too, should train our eyes to notice indications of our heavenly Father’s presence. But this isn’t a now-and-then kind of thing—it’s a lifestyle.

I developed a habit years ago that has helped me do this: Before I go to sleep, I try to recall the events of my day. What I’m really doing is looking for evidence of God at work. How did He guide this decision? Answer this question? Protect me in this situation? Help me in this relationship? Appreciating the Lord’s handiwork etches the reality of His care more deeply in my heart.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matt. 5:8). In other words, those with a clear conscience will cast out unholy thoughts and words, taking them captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). As a result, such believers have a spiritual clarity that makes them more aware of God’s involvement in their circumstances.

The evidence of God’s great power is all over your life, if only you will look for it. Viewing the world with wide-open spiritual eyes changes one’s perspective from “I can’t to I can because God enables me. Live confidently, knowing our loving, omnipotent God dwells within you.