From Alistair Begg's thoughts about keeping tough times in perspective:

3) I am being trained in the school of God's providence.
The Christian affirms the truth that God has not abandoned the world He created — that is deism. Nor has He become absorbed by His creation, which is pantheism.

Rather, the Christian believes God is distinct from what He has made, and He is working out everything in relationship to His creation according to His plan. By the same power and divine energy in which He created this universe, He preserves all of His creatures. He operates in all that comes to pass in the world, and He directs everything to its appointed end to bring "…everything into conformity with the purpose of His will and to conform people to the image of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. As strange as it seems, the Sovereign Creator fashions everything in time and history to this eventuality: He will redeem for Himself a people who are His very own.

What does this mean for us? We are not trapped in the grip of a blind force or being tossed about by chance. It means we are being trained in the school of God’s providence. It means that our times are in His hands.