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  • Writer's pictureMark Alan Williams
    • Oct 11, 2018
    • 4 min read

Many Men Owe The Grandeur Of Their Lives…

Updated: Mar 26, 2019

…to their tremendous difficulties. - Charles Spurgeon


Many people owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties. God can bring grandeur out of the worst situations, trials and hardship. He can take the most horrific circumstances and from them create something great.


This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net.


In the past 30 years my husband and I have endured some difficulties; that sometimes I’m tempted to become angry and bitter about. But, this means that I’m not looking at them through eyes of faith and I think God must owe me a problem free life. I forget my blessings and indulge in self- pity. I ask why things have happened a certain way, instead of trusting in the Lord and His Word. The truth is that God never promised a trouble-free life and He certainly doesn’t owe me anything.

I wouldn’t use grandeur to describe my life, but there has been some good that has come as a result of the difficulties. Through them God has opened new opportunities for ministry and service. He has given me greater empathy for others going through similar circumstances.  My husband and I appreciate each other more and have a much richer marriage that comes from persevering together. God has brought forth fruit and I can give thanks that while not easy, the difficulties have yielded good things.

One can’t help but wonder if this quote about grandeur owed to difficulties is autobiographical. Grandeur is not a word that most people use in daily conversation. It means grand or impressive; and Charles Spurgeon’s life was certainly both. Though, he probably wouldn’t boast about himself, he must have had some sense of how great God was using him.

Lesser known is the fact that he suffered from debilitating physical pain and deep, recurring depression. He believed his difficulties were meted out by God’s Sovereign hand and viewed them as useful tools that equipped him for ministry; though, he prayed often and earnestly for relief.

The grandeur of Spurgeon’s life was owed to his tremendous difficulties.

The Bible teaches that God is Sovereign. He possesses supreme, ultimate and unrestricted power over all people, things, time and events. He brings both grandeur and difficulties to a person’s life.

But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind? Whatever he wants to do, he does. So he will do to me whatever he has planned. He controls my destiny.” (Job 23:13-14 NLT)

In the Bible, Joseph suffered a betrayal by his own brothers and was sold into slavery. He was wrongly accused and imprisoned; and he endured great hardship. But, he was subsequently promoted to a position of prominence in Egypt where he was instrumental in ironically providing grain to save the very ones who had sought to destroy his life; and he forgave them.

Exodus 50:20 says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” (NLT)

The grandeur of Joseph’s life was owed to his tremendous difficulties.

God can bring grandeur out of tremendous difficulties; however, it’s not always easy to believe this; especially during times of suffering. But, we have to realize that we cannot see God’s master plan.

Of course, it is right to pray for deliverance from difficulties, but we shouldn’t become discouraged if the answer to our prayers is delayed.  Rather, we can be encouraged that God is doing a good work and it often involves bringing grandeur out of our tremendous difficulties.

  • Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV)

  • Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (NLT)

  • Psalm 57:2 says, “I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.” (NLT)

The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. (Psalm 138:8 NKJV)

We can know that God is mercifully working on our behalf and He will not forsake us.


“Only God can turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into a victory!” Unknown


How have you seen grandeur come from difficulties?


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