Life, believers' experience of

God is at work in all that happens to believers, whether to warn them, to draw them to himself or to do them good.

God has a purpose in all the experiences that believers have in life

Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11 See also Genesis 21:22, Genesis 28:16, Genesis 39:20–21, Genesis 45:5–8; 1 Samuel 2:6–9; 1 Chronicles 29:11–12; Job 42:10–13; Psalm 75:6–7; Acts 17:28; 1 Peter 4:12

And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,

Rejection of this conviction leads to despair

Ecclesiastes 1:1–2, Ecclesiastes 1:16–17

God uses every experience in the lives of believers for good

To warn and correct

Psalm 119:67 See also Genesis 12:17; 2 Chronicles 7:13–14; Job 5:17; Isaiah 38:17, Isaiah 48:9–10; Amos 4:10–11; Romans 2:4; Hebrews 12:5–11; Revelation 9:20–21

Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word.

To test and exercise believers' trust in God

Deuteronomy 8:15–16 See also Exodus 15:22–25; Judges 2:21–22; Psalm 23:1–6, Psalm 81:7; Isaiah 43:1–2; Nahum 1:7; Romans 8:35–39; Philippians 4:12; Hebrews 11:17–19, Hebrews 13:6

He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint. He fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers had not known, in order to humble you and test you, so that in the end He might cause you to prosper.

To purify and prepare believers for glory

2 Corinthians 4:16–17 See also Job 23:10; Psalm 66:10; Isaiah 48:10; Jeremiah 9:7; Zechariah 13:8–9; Romans 5:3–5, Romans 8:28–30; 1 Peter 1:6–7

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.

To benefit others

Esther 4:14; 2 Corinthians 1:3–6, 2 Corinthians 4:15; Philippians 1:12–14; 2 Timothy 2:10

In all of life's experiences believers should be thankful and trusting

Philippians 4:6 See also Genesis 8:20 Noah's sacrifice would, among other things, express his thankfulness; Deuteronomy 8:18; Job 1:20–21; Psalm 103:1–2; Proverbs 3:5–6; Acts 16:25; Ephesians 5:20; 1 Timothy 4:4–5

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Believers do not merit the blessings they receive

Psalm 103:10 See also Genesis 32:10, Genesis 50:19–21; Ezra 9:13; Lamentations 3:22; Luke 7:6; Romans 6:23

He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities.