Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:12   Living in a world with sin and evil means we experience pain. The Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV). Deceitful, wicked hearts produce evil actions and followers of Jesus often feel the effects of those actions too. The fact that Satan has some power on Earth (2 Corinthians 4:4) contributes to an atmosphere of suffering. Sometimes our pain is a result of our own sin. At other times, we are pained because we did nothing wrong, but still suffer because of the sins of others. The latter can feel unjust and surprising. Despite inescapable pain, God promises to be with us. His Word encourages us with truth amidst pain. The Apostle Peter wrote to followers of Jesus, “Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12). Peter goes on to say that our suffering makes us partners with Christ in His suffering and because we share in His broken heart, we will also share in His joy when His glory is revealed (verse 13). Pain is a natural consequence of our environment, so it should not surprise us, just as it does not surprise God. Instead, we look forward to the reveal of God’s glory as He resolves pain, both now and in a final sense that we eagerly await. Resource Reading:  1 Peter 4:12-19