By Minister Michael R. Jackson

Have you ever wondered why you face the heartaches and trials that come your way? As a young Christian, have you ever asked God why you face the challenges, disappointments and pain that make life so difficult? You may have even asked why the young people who have no heart for God seem to succeed and live life unchallenged and prosperous? If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone, for I’ve asked these same questions myself!

Young people, be encouraged because God answers all of those questions in His Word! If we take time to read and study the Bible, God tells us that there is purpose in our pain. In the book of Genesis, our friend Joseph has ambition, motivation and, most of all, a vision from God. He loved God just like you do, however, his vision and the place God was taking him caused him to go through various trials and temptations. He was hated by his own brethren, sold into slavery and even experienced trouble when he reached the place God had for him (Genesis 37-45). But the thing Joseph didn’t realize during his trials was that his journey of pain was leading him to a position of much power.

How painful it must have been to be hated by his own family simply because he was called by God. He too likely asked God, why? At the end of Joseph’s story, he realizes and reveals to his brothers or haters “that God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance, So, now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and the lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt” (Gen. 45:7-8). What the devil purposed for evil, God had already purposed for good.

Joseph had to suffer great loss and terrible experiences to get to the place God was taking him. Maybe you are in this same situation. You might be wondering, why me? You may be thinking I don’t deserve this. God wants you to know that whatever you are faced with and whatever comes against you, you will succeed. God says in his word that he knows the thought that he thinks toward us, thoughts to prosper us, young people be encouraged because your pain is not in vain! Just like Joseph, God is going to take you through to make you great.

When you’re going through, it is just that! Going through, is simply stating that you are not stuck in one place – you are not stagnant or immobile – but you are going to the next level in Christ! So brothers and sisters, like James states, “count it all joy when you fall into various trials,” because it serves a great purpose in your Christian development.