We have a design of suffering
1. Instruction
Psalms 94: 12Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
2. Nearness
Isaiah 43: 2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3. Fruitfulness may be witnessed.
John 15: 2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
4. Exercised patience.
James 5: 11Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
5. Holiness produced.
Job 23: 10But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
6. Joy realized
Hebrews 3: 17But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
18And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
7. Grace displayed
2nd Cor. 7And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
