Why does God allow difficult times? - James

I've been going through a low point in my own life recently. Nothing like some of you in the KGCR listening audience are experiencing but still some things that have caused me to stop and ask God why I didn't see him "fixing" these struggles. God reminded me, through His word, that we wouldn't have much of New Testament if it hadn't been for Paul's struggles. If he hadn't been in jail he would have traveled to the churches and told them what he had to say in person. Instead he was stuck in jail and spent his time writing to those churches. Those letters comprise much of the New Testament that we have today. I'm sure Paul didn't want to be in jail. But God allowed him to go through a difficult time so that he would be able to reach a huge number of people, thousands of years after his death, through his writing. Who knows how God will be able to use the struggles we're going through right now for His glory down the road. That may not make the current struggle any easier but hopefully it will encourage you as you make your way through the valleys in your life. Follow Paul's example and serve God wherever you are.