Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)
As bizarre as it may seem, when we are shaken by suffering we often discover our faith becoming one that cannot be shaken. One can never outgive God. He desires for all of His children to be conformed into the image of His Son and He goes into great lengths towards that aim. He wants us to grow up in Him being unshakable - unflappable in the midst of crisis – other-worldly that is. It is simply not of the flesh to courageously face our Goliaths. We need the power of the living God working within us and through us. It is amazing how independent of outward circumstances the Holy Spirit can make the Believer.
We must not wonder when we are called to walk through our sufferings – shall our Head have to undergo being crowned by thorns while we are rocked to sleep in the lap of ease? Besides, there is purpose in all our afflictions – all the things we so often scream out and kick against. If we could but see the beauty that would most certainly come out of the ash perhaps we would not scream and pitch our fits so loudly. Our crosses are prepared and appointed by divine love albeit they often seem anything but. Seek to embrace with joy what He allows in your life knowing your Maker has your best interest at heart and we will one day fully understand the why. For now, the most important thing for us is seeking to rightly know the Who.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9 (NIV)
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Hebrews 11:1-2 (NIV)