"Embrace the Sufferings of Fortune"

Because we live in a fallen world, suffering is a part of or daily lives. However, it is better for a Christian to "embrace the sufferings of fortune," as Boethius says in his work Consolation of Philosophy, because we will be able to see God's greater purpose for us amidst the suffering. God has used the suffering of men and women such as Joseph, Paul, William Tyndale, Helen Keller, and most of all, Jesus, to inspire others with their faith and endurance in their tribulations.
Stories of the trials and afflictions of the men and women of the Bible have been encouraging people for centuries. The stories of Joseph, Paul, and Jesus are especially significant because their suffering was brought about by others. In Joseph's case, though, he believed that what was meant for evil was used by God for good. Paul had to endure many hardships--flogging, imprisonment, being shipwrecked, and finally put to death--but these allowed him to tell the Gospet in a wide variety of settins and make his witness much more impacting. Paul asked for the "thorn in his side" to be removed but continued to trust that God's purpose for his affliction was greater. Jesus is the ultimate example of obedience and suffering. Isaiah 53 says, "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering," and it goes on to say, "he was pierced for our transgressions," "the punishment that brought us peace was upon him." "He was oppression and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth."
The people of the early church serve as another example endurance amid suffering. Hebrews 11:35--40 speaks of Christ's followers who were torured and imprison, mocked, flogged, and put to death, and yet they stood firm in the face of these trials with the assurance that God's hand was on them. Persecution of the early Church continued through the centuries, as people like William Tyndale were martyred, people died for their beliefs in the Spanish Inquisition, or were forced to flee their homes because of persecution, like the Huegenots and the Pilgrims. Even today Christians are suffering for their faith in Asia and the Middle East.
Then, there are those who inspire because of their perseverance in physical suffering. James 5: 11 says, "As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered." The great composser, Bethoven, was deaf, author Helen Keller was both deaf and blind, and missionaries David Livingston and Amy Carmichael both suffered great pain while still doing God's work. Some, like Einstein and Edison suffered rudicule because of their dislexia. I relate personally to each of these people because I have experienced the frustration of dislexia and the physical suffering of arthritis and other medical problems. I have learned, though, that two scriptures apply to my life as I wait to see what God's plans are--2 Corinthians 1:3-5 about how God uses our trials to help and encouraged others, and Romans 8: 17, 18 that says our suffering now can't compare to the glories of our future with Christ.
It would be the wish of all people to live a pain and trial free life. Suffering, however, can shape a person or a nation if viewed through a lens of obediance and hope. God has taught me how to "embrace the sufferings of fortune," and has used my experiences with pain to mold who I am and who I will be.