Rejoice in Suffering

"Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful." James 5:11

Back at the beginning of April, I had a friend who lost her husband very quickly and unexpectedly. She is left behind along with 6 children and has been getting used to life as a single mother of six. Today I read through "Behind a Frowning Providence" by John J Murray. I intend to send a copy to her but wanted to read it before I sent it. Its a great read and very applicable to anyone who might read it. It deals with many types of sufferings. One part that especially hit home with me is quoted below. Here is an excerpt, which is actually a quote from the Westminster Confession of Faith on God's dealings with His children:

"The most wise, righteous and gracious God, doth oftentimes leave for a season his own children to manifold temptations, and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of their own hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon himself, and to make them more watchful against future occasions of sin, and for sundry other just and holy ends."

This is not the portion that I expect to be of great help to my friend in her present circumstances, but just an example of the pamphlet's other points. According to this pamphlet, sufferings are meant to try us, expose our sins, build character, bring us to know God better, produce fruit in our lives and prepare us for usefulness, and lead us to make God our all and to prepare us for glory. Many of our sufferings are meant to accomplish several of these ends. My prayer is that through her suffering, God might bring my friend to know Him better.