SUFFERING ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD

Suffering comes in many forms: Trials of circumstances (2 Cor. 11:23-12;10; 2 Tim. 2:1-13; 2 Tim. 3:10-17), tests of faith (James 1:12-17), temptations that arise from our passions (flesh) (1Cor. 10:1-13), Satanic attacks (Mark 4:14-20, Eph. 6:10-13), the battle in the mind (2 Cor. 10:3-5), co-suffering with all of creation (Rom. 8:14-39), But thanks be to God (2 Cor. 2:14), Jesus is our answer to all suffering: "When in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard (for his piety); Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Heb. 5:7, 8). "For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted" (Heb. 2:18-4:2). "Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light: (Mt. 11:28-30). We all have much to learn of Him. And the learning begins with humility. Our suffering can be our teacher and guide, or it can be a bitter pill that poisons us thoroughly (Heb. 12:15). Our calling is to follow in the Master's steps, suffering according to the will of God, and as we obey him THROUGH our suffering, he, the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, will keep us from falling by his saving power (1 Peter 1:3-8; 1 Peter 2:19-25; 1 Peter 3:12-15; 1 Peter 4:19). Selah.