Suffering is a fact of life.

It has a long arm.

No one escapes it.

Is God mean? Is He not really in control? Is our pain a mistake?

Or does God have definite purpose and complete control as the Word of God says?

There are many reasons God allows suffering in our lives. In fact, there are not only reasons for our suffering, there are also benefits that we can gain only through painful affliction. We can be assured that God has a purpose in everything we go through—including suffering.

God uses the difficult circumstances and pain we must endure in our lives in many ways. Through it, He strengthens our relationship with Him and builds our character at the same time.

Corrie ten Boom, who suffered greatly in a concentration camp during World War II and lost her father and sister through that experience, once said: “There is no pit so deep God’s love is not deeper.”

Suffering sends us straight into God’s lap. From that position, we grow and deepen.

This teaching opens up God’s Word in a new and profound way, so we can understand the faithfulness and mercies of God that can only be shown forth through suffering.

May your faith in the Lord grow as you experience His love and walk in the footsteps of Jesus.