On the second day of Christmas comfort, here are two encouraging quotes from Jerry Bridges book, Trusting God:
All people—believers as well as unbelievers—experience anxiety, frustration, heartache and disappointment. Some suffer intense physical pain and catastrophic tragedies. But that which should distinguish the suffering of believers from unbelievers is the confidence that our suffering is under the control of an all-powerful and all-loving God; our suffering has meaning and purpose in God’s eternal plan, and He brings or allows to come into our lives only that which is for His glory and our good
— Bridges, Trusting God, 32
And here's another one:
Can you trust God? The question itself has two possible meanings before we attempt to answer it. Can you trust God, i.e., is He dependable in times of adversity? But the second meaning is also critical, can you trust God? Do you have such a relationship with God and such a confidence in Him that you believe He is with you in your adversity even though you do not see any evidence of His presence and His power?
— Bridges, Trusting God, 16
God is in control. He's worthy of our trust, and trusting in Him even through the most difficult circumstances is the best way to experience those difficult circumstances.