Reference: Afflictions
Easton
common to all (Job 5:7; 14:1; Ps 34:19); are for the good of men (Jas 1:2-3,12; 2Co 12:7) and the glory of God (2Co 12:7-10; 1Pe 4:14), and are to be borne with patience by the Lord's people (Ps 94:12; Pr 3:12). They are all directed by God (La 3:33), and will result in the everlasting good of his people (2Co 4:16-18) in Christ Jesus (Ro 8:35-39).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Who is there to separate us from the love of the Christ? Will trouble, or difficulty, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword? Scripture says-'For thy sake we are being killed all the day long, We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' read more. Yet amidst all these things we more than conquer through him who loved us! For I am persuaded that neither Death, nor Life, nor Angels, nor Archangels, nor the Present, nor the Future, nor any Powers, Nor Height, nor Depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God revealed in Christ Jesus, our Lord!
Therefore, as I said, we do not lose heart. No, even though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. The light burden of our momentary trouble is preparing for us, in measure transcending thought, a weight of imperishable glory; read more. We, all the while, gazing not on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is transient, but what is unseen is imperishable.
It was for this reason, and to prevent my thinking too highly of myself, that a thorn was sent to pierce my flesh--an instrument of Satan to discipline me--so that I should not think too highly of myself. About this I three times entreated the Lord, praying that it might leave me. read more. But his reply has been-- 'My help is enough for you; for my strength attains its perfection in the midst of weakness.' Most gladly, then, will I boast all the more of my weaknesses, so that the strength of the Christ may overshadow me. That is why I delight in weakness, ill-treatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties, when borne for Christ. For, when I am weak, then it is that I am strong!
My Brothers, whatever may be the temptations that beset you from time to time, always regard them as a reason for rejoicing, Knowing, as you do, that the testing of your faith develops endurance.
Blessed is the man who remains firm under temptation, for, when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of Life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him.