None of us like to suffer, least of all me. Suffering implies pain, torment, catastrophe, anguish, heartache. It would seem to indicate that God has abandoned us, a common complaint from the sufferer. And yet, nowhere in scripture do we ever find it written that the believer will live a life of prosperity, health, wealth, no suffering. Quite the contrary, in fact. Romans 8:17—“…and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we SUFFER (emphasis mine) with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Galatians 6:12—“As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not SUFFER (emphasis mine) persecution for the cross of Christ.” II Timothy 2:12—“If we endure (SUFFER in the KJV), we shall also rein with Him.” II Timothy 3:12—“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will SUFFER (emphasis mine) persecution.” No one wants to suffer, and yet that is what we can expect in this fallen world. God may not deliver us from suffering, but He will sustain and uplift us through it, and we can take great comfort that He has all our suffering under His control and will never give us more than we can bear. II Corinthians 1:4-6—“…who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.”