Suffering is an unavoidable part of life. Everyone experiences it in some capacity. For some of us, it might be for only a season like the loss of a job or the end of a relationship. For others, suffering might be a daily part of life caused by physical or mental health issues. Suffering is never wanted by anyone, yet the Bible says to “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,” (James 1:2). Why should we be joyful when facing a trial? How can we have joy when we experience deep suffering? Because suffering is a wonderful gift from God to strengthen our faith. This …