Difficult Times

⁵ The Lord examines the righteous,
    but the wicked, those who love violence,
    he hates with a passion.
⁶ On the wicked he will rain
    fiery coals and burning sulfur;
    a scorching wind will be their lot.

⁷ For the Lord is righteous,
    he loves justice;
    the upright will see his face.

God does not shield believers from difficult circumstances. He tests both the righteous and the wicked. For believers, tests are refining fire. For others, tests are incinerators for destruction. Go into tests and challenges with optimism because God is for you as a believer. Use them as opportunities to grow and learn about yourself. When you learn about yourself as a believer, you also learn about God and who he is.