The Mystery of Suffering

“The mystery of suffering has perplexed many all down through
the ages. It is part of man’s sad inheritance because of sin having
come into the world, and in this life the child of God is not exempt
from pain, sorrow, and anguish. But the suffering of believers is all
ordained of God to work out for blessing. Through this ministry of
suffering we are enabled to understand better what our Lord went
through for us when in this world. He was “a man of sorrows, and
acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). God uses suffering to keep us
from sin (1 Peter 4: 1; 2 Corinthians 12:7), and as a means of chastening
and discipline whereby we are made more like our blessed
Lord (Hebrews 12:6-11). As we suffer because of faithfulness to
His name and devotion to His cause, we enjoy a very real sense of
fellowship with Him who is still hated by the world that rejects His
testimony. The reward is sure and will make us forget all our light
affliction in the enjoyment of the eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4: 17).”
Excerpt from H.A Ironside’s Commentary on James, 1&2 Peter