2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 

 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jas 1:2–4). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Pe 1:6–7). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 

 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ro 5:1–5). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 

 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Php 3:6–9). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Abba,

It is easy to have a theology of suffering when life is easy. It is easy to see Your plan when pain does not blur our vision. It is easy speak of your plan with words of understanding. But the reality is, when pain descends; when suffering falls; when trouble comes…it is easy to forget these truths and slip into complaining and doubt. When suffering comes, Father, Savior, King, and Almighty God…we plead with you to remind us of the grace of suffering. May our understanding and will align with your agenda and purpose and may we see the suffering as grace from Your divine hand, shaping us into the children of God that You desire us to be. May we accept the suffering as expressions of Your love and grace in our lives and may we rest with hope and peace looking, longing, and aching with anticipation of how the suffering will work for good as Your Word promises us. We love and trust you Abba! Amen!