Does God delight in the suffering of His People?

I am closing the page of updates to focus on the lessons I have learned from the three years of confinement to Hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers and rollators.

Through all the years of health challenges I have been asking two questions: One; Does God delight in the suffering of His people? Two; Does God have a purpose in the suffering of His people?

"His people" meaning those who have received Christ as Savior and Lord; People who are called according to His purpose in Christ to proclaim the good news to all nations, peoples and tongues. I am writing about people forgiven and given God's garment of righteousness.

"Suffering" meaning pain in the body and mind; This includes the pain of going through laboratory procedures, medical examinations, and therapy. There is also the pain from assumptions, speculations, gossips, and rumors, hearsay, of family, friends and foes. And many more beyond words!

Does God delight in the suffering of his people? I searched Scriptures for some answers. Abraham suffered. Isaac suffered. Jacob (Israel) suffered. Moses suffered. Job Suffered. Joseph suffered. Hezekiah suffered. Jeremiah suffered, Elijah suffered. Elisha suffered. Peter suffered. Paul suffered. John suffered.

Some prayed and God extended their life span. Others died from their sickness.

Many great men and women today suffer ... as they go about doing what God has asked them to do.

Instead of asking why me, I asked why not me. What is special about me that I should be exempted from suffering?

Does God delight in my suffering? My answer is absolutely not. I learnt that Lucifer (a.k.a. Satan) delights in my suffering in order to sway me to curse God and worship him. This knowledge reinforces my resolve to relax, look to God, and do the best I can with what I have.

Does God - the father, the Son, and the Spirit - have a purpose in the suffering of His people?  Absolutely yes! I learnt many lessons from the suffering of legendary Job and Joseph in particular. It's no secret what God can do! God can take His people out of suffering if He wills. He allows suffering for a purpose.

Job's suffering was for a purpose. Joseph's suffering was for a purpose. My suffering might have a purpose as well. Through all the changing scenes of my life, I looked for God's purpose. What desired effect has He for my suffering? What good can come out of this confinement to hospital beds and wheelchairs?

I looked for better outcome. My trust in God and hope made it easy for me to bear any inconveniences. This future- perfect thinking was the secret behind my smiles in the tough times.

The rest of my story is in this book "The Journey back to Life".