When Bad Times Come

God will also be a stronghold for the oppressed; a high tower in times of trouble.
Those who know your Name will put their trust in you, for you, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.  

—Psalm 9:9-10

I always find it interesting when nonbelievers use the suffering of others as their excuse for not believing in God. That's because those who are doing the actual suffering are the ones who are most likely to put their faith in God. Of course some who suffer are not people of faith, but a person of sincere faith does not turn their back on God when bad times come, because in the suffering of Christ on the cross, we know that the hard times are when God's image is perhaps the most evident in God's people.

I pray not to avoid the troubles of the world, O God, but rather for the faith to place my trust in you when they come. In my pain, may I remember Christ on the cross, just as he remembered me Amen.