Suffering

Isn't it amazing how we often run when life gets to be too hard. Hagar tried to escape, yet the angel of the Lord told her to stay. He allowed Joseph to be thrown into a well, then sold into slavery. He let Daniel be taken captive by the Babylonians. He led His own son to the cross.
So why not us? Why wouldn't He want us to suffer too? Suffering is part of His plan for our lives. Phil. 3:9-11 shows us that as we walk by faith-we will suffer-thus enabling us to experience resurrection from the dead. What is dead in your life? God brings life through suffering.
I Cor. 1:4-7 shows us that God comforts us in our troubles-it doesn't say that He takes our troubles away. Perhaps He allows the trouble in order to show His His mighty strength and power through His comfort. As He comforts us, we are to comfort others-how could I effectively comfort your trouble if I've never had any trouble. How could I help your pain if I've never felt pain?
Heb. 2:10 shows us that Christ became a perfect leader through His suffering! Could it be that God is perfecting us too?
Let's walk firmly with our heads up high to the heavens-knowing who our God is-confident of who we are in Christ! We are His, we belong to Him-we suffer like He did-we'll get the reward that He received. Rom. 8:17-18