Some people believe that it's not God's will for Christians to suffer. I beg to differ based on Scripture (below).
We ALL suffer. Suffering is inherent in our mortality. We suffer for doing good and for doing evil. God's Word tells us that IF it is God's will for us to suffer then it's better to suffer for doing good, and for believing in Jesus Christ. Suffering for evil is the worst reasons to suffer. Note how God turns the concept of suffering upside down!
Ultimately, Christians sometimes suffer for WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST. Due to unbelief in who Jesus is (the Son of God), Jesus suffered at the hands of unjust religious rulers, "good people", sinners, and even one of his closest followers Judas Iscariot. Jesus suffered mocking, false accusations, betrayal, scorn, scourging, and crucifixion, but not for doing evil - He was sinless - and not for anything good that He had done, but Jesus suffered for WHO HE IS. In the deepest darkest moment of His suffering, Jesus cried, "Father into thy hand I commend my spirit." (Luke 23:46). . . and in our suffering we can pray that, too. God is faithful to bring us out of our suffering and into His glorious rest. Trust Him.
~dkg
1 Peter 4:12-19
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator."