Video from Alistair Begg
God’s Faithfulness in Affliction (Part 1 of 2) Alistair Begg
"In our secular & Christian culture the widespread view (often unspoken) is the assumption that suffering is unusual, an imposition on our normal lives, an interruption of God’s good purposes, even a sign of his displeasure or perhaps punishment. Why is this happening to me? What did I do to deserve this? Most of us take suffering to be a unwanted , uninvited guest that must be vanquished as quickly as possible.
To be able to see suffering as a gift from God, an indication of God’s favor, even a sign of his friendship, is far removed from the common expectations of our day. In some prosperity-gospel environments, health and wealth, not pain and deprivation, are seen as the signs of God’s favor and friendship.
“Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you . . . as though something strange were happening to you,” Peter writes in (1 Pet. 4:12). He instructs us not only to not be surprised by suffering but even to make a choice to rejoice in it. Suffering is inevitable in everyone's life.
Listen to Alistair Begg has he talks about how God is faithful even in the midst of our suffering." from video introduction