Problems and difficulties are built right in to the Christian life. Christians undergoing them are apt to think it very bewildering and strange, but far from being strange, they are really necessities that God uses first to reveal, and then to purge us of the things that corrupt our lives.

Just as gold must be tested in the fire to bring impurities to the surface, so the Lord allows trials and difficulties to bring to the surface any impurities in our lives. The Lord uses trials and difficulties to prove the genuineness of our faith.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials..." - James 1:2