What is God’s will for your life?  There are several things declared to be the will of God, but the most painful one is that it is God’s will that you suffer!

 

Philippians 1:29

29 For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

 

2 Timothy 2:3

3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

 

I have a real tendency to think that as I continue to grow spiritually, I will reach a place in my life where God will keep adversity and problems away from me, and I will live this life of constant blessings.  But that’s not what the Word of God says!  It has been granted to us to suffer.  Trouble and turmoil are guaranteed in the believer’s life.

 

Job 5:7

7 For man is born for trouble,

As sparks fly upward.

 

Job 14:1

1 "Man, who is born of woman,

Is short-lived and full of turmoil.

 

What should be our attitude in suffering?  You have to look at suffering as a GIFT from God, and realize when you suffer that he has your best interests in mind.  Suffering helps us appreciate what we have; it helps us focus on what is really important, and it keeps us going in the right direction. 

 

1 Peter 4:19

19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

 

We should always trust our faithful Creator!  No matter what the problems we face, we have to realize that God has a perfect plan for our lives, and He wants what’s best for us.  Sometimes we can’t see the blessings in the suffering, but we have to have faith that the blessings are there.

 

Therefore, what else is God’s will for you?

 

 It is the will of God that we give thanks in everything.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

God wants us to be thankful for everything, INCLUDING THE SUFFERING!  You have to realize that God is working everything together for good in your life (Rom 8:28). 

 

So remember, you are going to suffer.  God’s will for you is that you can have enough faith to be thankful for the suffering.