For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:5 (NIV)
No suffering is ever too great for Christ. Even when we cannot see Him or feel His presence, He is always with us to comfort us and guide us through our suffering. Sometimes we wonder if Christ really knows our suffering and pain, but fortunately, He knows them better than we do. The Bible tells us that because He bore our sins, He was humiliated by men and rejected by His father for our sakes. What else could He bear for us?
Some of our sufferings are there to test our character, our faith and our devotion to God, which means that sooner or later they will pass. Believe it or not, God knows our limits and our ability to endure His trials, He will not give us more than we can handle. When suffering becomes too intense, we blame God, and this can even compromise our faith in Him. But God is compassionate to keep us from falling into temptation and to forgive us our weaknesses.
By seeking to avoid suffering and being afraid to face the difficulties of life, we miss the best opportunity that Christ has given us to grow in faith and in perfection as He is perfect. James illustrates this very well by saying: "Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." [James 1:2-4 - NASB]
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