Perhaps, dear soul, God is allowing this to develop your graces. Some virtues only emerge through trials. Haven't you noticed your faith shines brighter in winter than in summer? Love often resembles a glow-worm, its light only visible in darkness.

Hope, like a star, is more evident in adversity than in prosperity. Trials can be the backdrop where God sets the jewels of His children's graces to make them shine brighter. Just recently, you prayed, "Lord, I fear my faith is weak. Let me know I have faith." In a way, were you not asking for trials? Faith isn't proven until it's tested.

God sends trials to reveal our graces, assuring us they exist. Moreover, real growth in grace comes from trials that are used for our sanctification. God often takes away comforts to make us stronger Christians. He trains His soldiers not in comfort, but through challenges and hard service.

He leads them through streams, across rivers, over mountains, and on long journeys with heavy burdens. Christian, could this explain your current troubles? Is God revealing and growing your graces? Is this why you're facing challenges? "Trials make the promise sweet; Trials give new life to prayer; Trials bring me to His feet, lay me low, and keep me there."