by Hannah Mizzi

Created on: February 09, 2010   Last Updated: February 11, 2010

Did God intend for our lives on earth to be easy or challenging? Should we really be able to answer that question? God has one intention that we are more than aware of; that no matter what challenge we face, He will be there for us. Maybe in the beginning, before sin, before violence and pain, that was His intention. However, through every challenge is a lesson learned, and therefore there is growth.

Imagine, if you will, life easy. Life with no challenges and no obstacles. Where would we be? No one would have that sense of achievement when something is completed, and no reward for that completion would feel satisfying; because it was "easy". There was no hassle, no trouble, so why feel as though you have completed something useful, or achieved something great?

I personally believe, that sin, or no sin, challenges are a part of growth, both spiritually and emotionally. As Christians, when there is trouble, we turn to God. "Please help us," we cry out. And, when God does help us, we look to Him in awe, we bow our heads and thank Him. There is no question that through every answered prayer we as humans feel a closer connection to God. We feel as though our relationship with Him has grown to not only knowing Him, but becoming a part of Him; and God wants that from us. He wants us to cry out to Him, and to worship Him for the greatness that He demonstrates every time we ask for help.

This being said, God does not intentionally place pain in people's lives. Challenges and suffering are two completely different things. One being an obstacle, or possible stumbling block, and the other being the opposite of what God has intended for us and instead what the Devil plans. God tells us to live fruitful lives, full of love, peace, and happiness. Pain, and suffering do not go hand-in-hand with His plan for our lives. Although we, as humans, living in this world full of sin may feel as though God is oblivious to our personal situation, God is not unaware. Just as we cry out to Him for His hand to pull us up as we stumble, we also may cry out to Him for healing for what the world has done, and will continue to to do us.

So, did God intend for our lives to be easy or challenging? Look at this way, a healthy human, physically and spiritually, craves a challenge. Because, once again, a challenge is a growth experience and a stumble is just a chance to get back up.

What doesn't kill you, can only make you stronger.

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