Yesterday something in our pastor’s sermon hit me between the eyes.  He said we need to stop only asking God to remove our difficulties and start asking him to help us learn in our difficulties.  He gave some examples:  relationship trouble?  God wants to help us learn something more about being loving in relationships;  finance trouble?  God wants to help us learn more things about obeying him with our finances.  In other words, my difficulty is an opportunity for God to change me.

If my difficulty is a business problem, what is God trying to teach me?  When I stopped to think about it, I came up with a whole list of good things I’m learning because of this difficulty.  I don’t know if this problem will be resolved soon or never.  But in the meantime I’m being changed.

My difficulty is helping me see that God is bringing good out of even the hard things.  He hasn’t forgotten me.  
My difficulty is making me humble and dependent on God, not on my own drive and effort.  
My difficulty is motivating me to improve my skills.  (Since what I’m doing now isn’t working, I need to improve and change.)  
My difficulty causes me to interact and make friendships with people I otherwise wouldn’t.  
My difficulty pushes me to keep moving forward and not quit.  
My difficulty forces me to examine my motives.  Am I working for my own gratification, or to provide a service?  Am I self-centered in my work or others-centered?  Serving my clients means it isn’t about me, it’s about them.
My difficulty is giving me get a better outlook on money.  It isn’t my identity.  It doesn’t show whether God approves of me or not.  I don’t have to be ashamed when I take money in exchange for my work because the worker is worthy of his wages.  I can happily give others money for their work.  I can make, use, and give away money without loving it.  Money is only one measurement of success.
My difficulty is showing me that I I can’t succeed without the help of others.  I must get advice from those who are successful.  My family is willing to help when I ask.   
My difficulty has caused me to improve in planning, efficiency, time management, discipline, and scheduling.  It has benefitted my daily life in and out of work.  These areas were in serious need of improvement since I’m a ping-pong ball by nature!
My difficulty reminds me that God is patiently working on me. The fact that I’m trying to please him is proof that he’s working.

“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.  For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”  Philippians 2:12-13

  Maybe your difficulty is ill health.  Even pain and limitations can be used by God to change us and make us more useful in his kingdom.  For over a year I was in pain when I walked.  I couldn’t go to a store because by the time I walked from our car to the first aisle, I was in such pain, I couldn’t keep going.  I had to lean on my kitchen counter to maneuver during meal preparation.  I had to plan what I needed in another room because every step hurt and one trip would be all I could do that hour.  Standing up to have a conversation with others was painful and I would try to find somewhere to sit so I could enjoy the chat.  I couldn’t enjoy many of the things I had previously loved doing:  cooking, gardening, walking in the woods, my career, and yes, housekeeping (Ok, maybe I didn’t love housekeeping, but I didn’t mind it.)  Some days were better than others.  I learned what it’s like to live with pain and weakness.  Because of this, I have a better understanding of those who are crippled, old, or sick.  I notice them more and try to encourage them.  The Lord never left me in those long, discouraging months and he kept working on me to knock off some more rough edges.  He gave me more quiet time to study, think, and be available for others.  Being weak was definitely humbling and made me appreciate dear Husband even more.  For the last three months, God graciously has given me huge improvement.  I have some limitations and have to count the cost of some activities, but I’m so much better.  I don’t take getting dressed, making meals, taking care of my house, or my work for granted.  I rejoice every time I walk from our house to my studio.  I didn’t miss stores too much, but it is nice to get what I need for myself.  I know that my health isn’t guaranteed and I try to be grateful and use my strength for the good of others every day I have it. 

“So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.  Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians  12:7-10

What is your difficulty right now?  Writing down what you’re learning may be encouraging.  It’ll remind you that nothing is wasted because God uses the hard things to make us better.  The worst things can be turned to good by God.  I like this quote, “Some of the most beautiful things worth having in your life come wrapped in a crown of thorns.” – Shannon L. Alder

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”  Joseph to his treacherous brothers who had sold him into slavery   Genesis 50:20