Here’s an excellent quote by Warren Wiersbe about understanding God’s plan and process in allowing difficulty in our lives (note James 1:2-4 and Romans 5:3-5):
“Our values determine our evaluations. If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us. If we value the material and physical more the spiritual, we will not be able to ‘count it all joy.’ If we live only the present and forget the future, then trials will make us bitter, not better.