Adversity usually comes in the areas where we feel the most confident. God has a design. His ultimate design is to conform your life to the likeness of Christ. He has something in mind. God allows adversity to mold and shape us.
Gold is refined by fire.
Iron is shaped, molded, and beaten only after being intensely heated. The good side to adversity is that we begin to understand God's design for us personally. We see that He has chosen a particular area of our lives in which to work. We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. There are several goals that I believe God wants to accomplish by allowing suffering and heartache.