Why Does God Allow Challenges?

Why Does God Allow Challenges?

It’s a question we’ve all probably asked, whether in a whisper or a shout. If God is good and truly loves us, as He says He does, then why do we go through so much pain? The financial struggles, the sickness, the loss… it doesn’t always add up, does it? Especially when you read a verse like Jeremiah 29:11, where God promises He has good plans for us.

To really get it, I think we have to take a step back, let go of our own perspective for a second, and try to see things through His eyes.

Imagine owning a car that constantly has mechanical problems. You take it to the mechanic, he fixes it, and you drive it home. A few weeks later, the same problem comes back. The cycle repeats. You start losing hope in the car, complaining about the cost, and getting frustrated that this asset has become a liability. All the while, you fail to see that the real problem isn't the car; it's the driver. Your driving is the reason it keeps breaking down.

What if our challenges are God's way of working on the driver—on us?

The Bible is full of stories that show this. Take Joseph. He had this incredible dream from God about his future.

Genesis 37:6-7

So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: 7 There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.”

It was a good dream, a God-given promise. But what happened next? Betrayal. Slavery. False accusations. Prison. Nothing worthwhile happens overnight, and what you and I often miss is an understanding of the process—the journey that gets us to the promise.

Let me ask you this: If Joseph hadn't been betrayed by his siblings, sold into slavery, and thrown into prison, would he have ever developed the character to lead Egypt and see his dream come to life? If David hadn't faced the lion and the bear in private, would he have had the courage to take down Goliath in public? If Jesus hadn't endured the cross, would we be free today?

Here’s something I’ve had to learn the hard way: when I try to run from my challenges, find shortcuts, or just avoid them, all I'm really doing is postponing the process. Something that God intended to teach me in three months now takes three years.

When we give in to fear and avoidance, two things happen. First, as I said, we drag out the process. Second, we leave our future blessings exposed. The enemy loves it when we're afraid. He uses that fear to whisper lies and steal the gifts God has for us. And don’t get it twisted—I'm not talking about a physical thief. I'm talking about a spiritual battle. He's the one whispering in our ears, "If God really loved you, why is this happening?" His goal is to use our pain to steal, kill, and destroy God's purpose in our lives.

But God knows this. He knows who we’re up against, which is why He gave us a manual for the fight—the Bible. And what does it say?

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

That phrase, "all things," settles it, don't you think? It means the good and the bad. From Genesis to Revelation, the story is always the same: God uses the difficult things to bring about the good things.

So, for us to step into God’s incredible plans, whatever stands against Him in our lives must first fall. And how does it fall? Challenges.

Through our eyes, a challenge looks like pain, struggle, and setbacks. But through God's eyes, it looks like deliverance. He sees the pride He's stripping away, the dependency He's building in you, the strength He's forging in your spirit.

This is why God allows challenges in our lives: to fix the driver. He uses them to strengthen us, open our eyes to the truth, and lead us back to Him. David needed the testimony of the bear and the lion to have the faith to face Goliath.

And here's maybe the most important part we need to realize: the challenge you're facing right now is preparing you for the blessing that's coming. Your struggle today is basic training for your breakthrough tomorrow. If you're overwhelmed by today's battle, how will you handle the victory God has planned for you down the road?

Why does God allow challenges?

Because He loves us.

The next time you face a trial, don’t just try to survive it. Ask God, "What do you want me to learn here?" Make it a point to come out of it with something that will last a lifetime. If you asked David, he'd tell you he came out of the wilderness with the unshakeable belief that his God could do anything.

So use your own stories—the challenges you have already overcome. Don't forget where you've come from. Let them fuel your faith with this truth:

"If God brought me through that, He can definitely bring me through this."