"If the Lord Wills"

"Suffering is God's gift to make us aware of our dependence upon Him."
So states one Christian author in his book on prayer. This is true, as nothing more
quickly forces us to look up than when we are forced down to our knees. So suffering
seen as a valuable gift from God meant to draw us ever closer to Himself. This is what
James is teaching us as well when he writes against those who believe that they have
this world and their lives all figured out. Instead we should pray, "If the Lord wills …".
We can see suffering as a gift and find true hope in the midst of affliction:

1. By resting confidently in Christ.

2. By NOT using our suffering to justify sin.

3. By properly preparing for suffering before it comes.