The great actor Keanu Reeves reflects a biblical teaching whether he realizes it or not. Oftentimes, Christian believers will wonder, worry or wince at the “whys” of life; why did God allow this or that trial to come into my life? Why did God allow this lingering illness, this pain, this divorce, this hardship? Why did God allow my children to suffer so? Why didn’t stop my best friend from lying and hurting me? Why? Why? Why?

Interestingly, Job of the Old Testament asked those same questions. Yet, in the end, we see where God blessed him and restored his loses 10-fold! Perhaps not in this life, but someday our loving Father God will do the same for us. Christ-followers, for the past 2000 years have faced every kind of struggle, danger, persecution, trial and tribulation you can possibly imagine, and some you can’t. But, there is one thing that we can always count on, no matter what; the overcoming grace of God to help us meet every challenge that comes our way.

To be precise, God not only allows but sovereignly chooses to use the trials of life to make us into the people He has destined us to be. The Scriptures clearly teach this fact over and over again in the lives of most of it’s characters. This is why the apostle Paul proclaimed, “When I am weak, I am strong and I boast of my weaknesses that the power of Christ may rest on me.” What did he mean? He meant, life challenges have a special way of humbling ourselves, making us less self-dependent and more God-dependent for our strength and endurance. God in His mercy, love, plan and power takes these things we would never choose for ourselves and uses them to build the Christlike character He planned for each of the elect even before the foundation of the world. Yes, when we are down to nothing, God is always up to something!

So, as Keanu Reeves so aptly said, “Be thankful for the hard times, they only make you stronger” he was spot on, but especially for the Christ-follower today. No matter where you are now, no matter what you are facing, keep your eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ not your circumstances! Be determined to learn through the teachers of trial. Sooner than you realize, you will be stronger, wiser and a better person for choosing the better path; the way of the Lord.