"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's lovehas been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5
No one likes to suffer because no one likes pain of any kind. Honestly who really wants to suffer? I think it is easy to believe as Christians that we should not face suffering of any kind because we are saved. But the reality is even though we are saved we still live in a fallen world with fallen people and in bodies that are still riddled with the effects of sin. These verses in Romans I have recently learned thanks to a CD of Bible verses and they have both comforted me and allowed me to encourage others.
God allows suffering in our life to make us more like Jesus. This is called sanctification. Because God loves us so much He does not leave His children where they are. Instead He teaches us and guides us through life and circumstances He both puts and allows in our lives. Some circumstances are extremely painful and very difficult to bear, but like everything God does in His children's lives, they are to draw us to Himself, realizing we need Him and we need a Savior. We cannot make it in this world alone; we were not made to go through life alone. God designed us for a need to Him and suffering shows us that need and the hope that we have through a life with Jesus Christ.
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