Quick Thoughts on Suffering and Trials

Suffering is fine if it brings us closer to God.  Although we, as humans, want to avoid suffering and trials and are told that comfort and happiness are the goal of life.  They are not.  Actually the purpose of life is to know God and to make him known better.  Therefore, I assert that if suffering can have redemptive purpose and bring us closer to God, then times of suffering and trials may not be entirely bad.  Although suffering and going through trials is not fun, it is part of life.  It is a part of life necessary for us to require and depend on God.  Without my times of suffering and trials, I wouldn't be where I am at in my current relationship with God.  Thus, I don't discredit suffering and trials because they fulfill part of what life is about: Knowing God and making Him known!