Depend upon it, God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered- C.H.Spurgeon

So you can look at it this way, if you've been faithful, living right, and now heartache and trouble are knocking at your door......congratulations,  you're up for promotion :) !!! God sees you fit to be grown some more, and you're ready for new graces, that's a promotion! The opportunity for new growth is exciting but just like the military, you have to prove yourself first. And God will prove us. He's a wise master builder. 

"..... in order to make us better Christians. He trains his soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many a long mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which thou art passing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Is not this the reason why he is contending with you?" - C.H.Spurgeon 

Job wondered. "Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me." Job 10:2

Trials make the promise sweet;

Trials give new life to prayer;

Trials bring me to his feet,

Lay me low, and keep me there.

In Gods economy, in His service, the way up is down. The way to find you're life, is to lose it. The way to gain, is to give. The way to soar is to humble thyself.

I ask myself at every opportunity, am I willing to go through the training or testing that I see before me and can I do it? the answer in my mind is always,  no. I can't do it, BUT I have a Father who can!!!!!! And greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. He's my strength and I trust Him more than I do anyone else, so.....onward!