Why Does God Put Us Through Hard Times? Finding Faith in Life’s Struggles
If you are a mature Christian, you already know—hard times come. In fact, even if you’re not a believer, you know that life has its ups and downs. Jesus Himself made it clear that tribulations would touch our lives, but He also reassured us not to panic because He has overcome the world (John 16:33). Still, knowing how much Jesus loves us and how powerful He is, we may find ourselves wondering: why does God put us through hard times?
A Child’s Innocent Question: Did God Put Noah in Timeout?
Years ago, I was decluttering my old blog posts when I stumbled upon an “oldie but goodie.”
It all started with a question from my three-year-old:
“Mommy, did God put Noah in timeout?”
His question came up during bedtime while we were reading a children’s Bible storybook.
In the illustration, Noah looked exceedingly anxious and frightened because he hadn’t heard from God.
As the book depicted, the floodwaters were rising, and God seemed silent.
My kiddo, well accustomed to being in time-out, somehow assumed Noah’s expression and God’s distance meant Noah was in time-out.
That moment made me reflect: Sometimes, God allows us to go through difficult times not because He is punishing us but because He is protecting us.
God’s every intention was to protect Noah. However, he had to go through a few moments of angst as all the pieces were being put together on the back end.
The Backstory: Why Does God Put Us Through Hard Times?
You likely know the story of Noah, but let’s do a quick recap:
Long ago, humanity had become corrupt and sinful, and God decided to cleanse the earth with a great flood. But Noah, a righteous man, found favor in God’s eyes.
God instructed him to build an ark to save himself, his family, and many animals.
People ridiculed him, but Noah remained obedient.
When the flood came, Noah and his family were safe inside the ark while the rest of the world perished.
Though he must have faced fear, uncertainty, and isolation, God had a plan for him.
Noah was never abandoned—God was always in control.
Like Noah, we don’t always see how our trials will end.
When life throws storm after storm our way, it’s easy to feel like we’re being disciplined or forgotten.
“What did I do wrong?” is often a question a Christian might ask in life’s most challenging times.
But the truth is that it is not always about what one has done wrong.
It’s about what God, our Father, is doing right.
You see, God allows us to go through difficult times to strengthen, protect, and prepare us.
When It Feels Like God Is Silent
Have you ever been in a season where you feel like you’re doing everything right—praying, serving, and obeying God’s Word—yet life keeps knocking you down?
It can feel like you’re stuck in a “timeout” and that God is distant.
I know that feeling well.
When troubles are relentless, and God seems silent, it’s easy to wonder if He has abandoned you.
I know I’ve had those moments.
But the reality is this: God allows trials not to break us but shape us.
Why Does God Put Us Through Hard Times?
Here Are a Few Reasons:
- To Strengthen Our Faith – Trials push us to rely on God more deeply (James 1:2-4).
- To Build Our Character – Hardships develop perseverance and spiritual maturity (Romans 5:3-5).
- To Protect Us From Worse Circumstances – What we see as a loss could be God’s way of shielding us.
- To Draw Us Closer to Him – When we have nowhere else to turn, we find deeper intimacy with God (Psalm 34:18).
- To Prepare Us for Greater Purpose – Before God elevates us, He refines us through trials (1 Peter 1:6-7).
Each of these is a blessing of care and not a punishment. When you ask yourself why God put us through hard times?
Think of this list.
He is likely strengthening our faith, building our character, protecting us from something horrible, drawing us near Him, or preparing us for something amazing!
My Own Painful Example: How God Uses Hard Times for Good
I lost my older brother to a heart attack in his thirties. He struggled with mental illness, and his life was often chaotic.
Right before he passed, he had turned his life around amazingly.
He had accepted Christ, joined a church, and was finally on the right path.
Then, suddenly, he was gone. I couldn’t understand why God would take him just when he was beginning to change his life for the good.
Years later, the Holy Spirit gave me a different perspective.
My brother had been in many dangerous situations throughout his life.
His mental illness made him behave irrationally, and being around some of the bad company he kept made this a formula for disaster.
At any end, he could have met a tragic, violent end. It was a nagging fear.
We all worried about him.
But, God would not let that happen.
Instead of allowing my brother to be murdered or hurt because he had not taken his medicine, God took him gently, quietly, in the safest place he could be—his church parking lot after Sunday service.
Years of medicine took their toll, and his heart stopped.
Immediately after it happened, I wondered, “Why does God put us through hard times?”
Looking back all these years later, I now believe that sometimes, God allows us to endure pain because He is diverting something far worse.
I am sure He was with my brother.
The enemy would have loved to have him die in the streets over some altercation, but God said, “No.”
Trusting God in the Storm
Just as Noah was in the storm, likely wondering why does God put us through hard times.
God was saving him from horrible, torrential damnation.
It’s hard to see the purpose of suffering when we’re in the middle of it. But just as God had a plan for Noah, He has a plan for you.
His silence doesn’t mean He’s absent.
His delays aren’t denials.
Even when life feels unbearable, hold on to these truths:
- God sees you. You are not forgotten (Deuteronomy 31:8).
- This season will pass. Pain is temporary, but God’s love is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
- You are not alone. God walks with you through every hardship (Isaiah 41:10).
If you are facing trials, keep trusting God. Keep praying. Keep moving forward.
One day, you will look back and see that the very thing you thought would destroy you was what God used to prepare you for something greater.
Final Thoughts
Hard times are never easy, but they are not pointless. God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), and He sees the full picture when we only see a fragment.
If you’re in a season of struggle, know that God is working—even when you don’t see it. Keep holding on, because your testimony is still being written.
He is likely building your faith, building your character, protecting you from something horrible, drawing you near Him, or preparing you for something exceptional!
Stay encouraged.
If you need encouragement, check out this article by Dr. David Jeremiah: 5 Biblical Strategies for When Life Is Hard.
And if you have a story about how God has carried you through tough times, share it in the comments. Your story could encourage someone else who is struggling today.
You will smile again. You will find joy again. And you will see God’s faithfulness in ways you never imagined.
Why does God put us through hard times? I don’t really know. But, I know God will carry you through.
Praise God. Me too. :)
How very lovely and personally appropriate for me right now. Thank you and God bless you.