Preparations for Sufferings

We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance. —Romans 5:3. It is as much our interest as it is our duty to be awakened out of our pleasant but most pernicious drowsiness. Troubles will be so much more sinking and intolerable if they take us by surprise. Just as expectation spoils earthly comforts by sucking out much of its sweetness beforehand so that we find less in it when we come to the actual enjoyment, so the expectation of suffering eases much of the dread and terror by accustoming our thoughts beforehand and making preparation for them. If prepared, we do not find suffering so grievous, overwhelming, and intolerable when it does come. It is not the design of this book to frighten anyone with imaginary dangers, much less to sow jealousies or stir up discontentment for the times. The only goal of this book is to provide a better understand of the purpose and function of suffering for the sake of Christ.