Consider what God has done. If you are having good times, be happy. If you are having bad times, consider. Consider. Consider what? Consider that God's hand is over you, whatever happens. Now is not the time when God has promised us only good things- that comes later. In this life, some rain will fall. When it comes, consider. Think about the many good things God has done for you- salvation through Jesus and the hope of eternal life. The Bible to guide. Christian friends. And much more.

Consider that you have hope. Consider that God will either help your bad times go away or will, as He did for Paul, give you strength to bear it. Either way, He works for our ultimate good because He loves us.

A Christian woman soon to have cancer surgery said, "It'll be okay. If the operation is successful and I get well, that's okay. If I am not cured, that's okay too." Only Christians can look at everything that comes and say, "It'll be okay."

The highest pinnacle of the spiritual life
is not joy in unbroken sunshine,
but absolute and undoubting trust in the love of God.
- A. W. Thorold