Where IS God...in the trials of my life?

It can be hard to see how God could possibly be at work in our lives and be on our side when life straight up sucks. When we wake up in the morning we have no idea what sort of twists and turns our day will bring. I think the term "God is testing you" has become washed up, one dimensional, and just a very stupid and hurtful answer to give to someone who is hurting. Also, what does that even really mean, God is "testing" me? Isn't our entire life on earth a bit of a test? What's so special about now?

In the times when absolutely nothing is going right, I think the best thing to do is focus on 

Galatians 5:22-23 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." 

Multiple times throughout the Bible there is a focus on these characteristics, so there really must be something to them!

Philippians 4:4-7 really expands on the fruit of the spirit.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Although we will not always be "happy" we can be filled with the joy of Christ. I know and am at peace with the knowledge that everyone and everything is in God's hands. Sure I love to be in control and know who, what, when, where, why and how about everything...but more often than not I don't know, and don't know best, and I can't possibly have any control over these situations in my life. And who am I to say or do anything anyways? I happily rest everything in God's hands because I know He knows best! I have so much to rejoice about!

Matthew 6:25-27, 33-34

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Then in Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous, do not tremble or be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!"

God clearly doesn't want us to worry about the problems in our life. If we commit everything to Him and seek after Him, we will be filled with a peace and joy that we won't be able to perfectly explain. Patience is something that can be incredibly hard to have. People irritate us, circumstances unravel us and then we remember...

Proverbs 10:28 

"The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing." 

Proverbs 14:29-30 

"A patient man has great understanding, but a quick tempered man displays folly. A heart of peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." 

and Proverbs 15:1 

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh word stirs up anger."

Back to the whole "testing us" thing...although we may not know exactly what God is looking for from us right away, we can focus our thoughts on striving to have the characteristics of the fruit of the spirt because with those we are on the right track for serving our Lord.

Galatians 5:23, 18

"Against such things there is no law.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."