Why is there suffering in this life?

Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong; but if you do right and suffer for it and are patient beneath the blows, God is well pleased. This suffering is all part of the work God has given you. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps: He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when he suffered, he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. - 1 Peter 2:20-23 (Living Bible)

Because we live in a fallen world, suffering will be a part of our lives, as it was in the life of Christ while on this earth. We may also face suffering as a consequence of sin in our lives or as a result of executing God's will in a world that hates the message of Jesus Christ. The Bible is clear that Christians will, at times, have to endure unfair treatment in the pursuit of Christlikeness.

"If the world hates you, know that it had hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world; therefore, the world hates you. - John 15:18-19 (ESV)

Dear friends, don't be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you. Instead, be really glad—because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward, you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory in that coming day when it will be displayed. So if you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you. - 1 Peter 4:12-13,19 (Living Bible)

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing when mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. - 1 Peter 2:18-19 (ESV)

Favor with God is found when an employee, treated unjustly, accepts his poor treatment with faith in God's sovereign care rather than responding in anger, hostility, discontent, pride, or rebellion. - John MacArthur

What is my response when treated unjustly? 

Does my response communicate faith in God's sovereign care or an attack on the guilty party?

When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don't resent them as intruders but welcome them as friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence. And if in the process, any of you does not know how to meet any particular problem, he has only to ask God—who gives generously to all men without making them feel foolish or guilty—and he may be quite sure that the necessary wisdom will be given him. But he must ask in sincere faith without secret doubts as to whether he really wants God's help or not. The man who trusts God but with inward reservations is like a wave of the sea, carried forward by the wind one moment and driven back the next. That sort of man cannot hope to receive anything from God, and the life of a man of divided loyalty will reveal instability at every turn. - James 1:2-8 (Phillips)

Adversity is a bridge to a closer relationship with God. - Charles Stanley

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on your side;
bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to your God to order and provide;
in ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; your best, your heav'nly friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. - Katherine von Schlegel

Be Encouraged to endure suffering with faith in God's sovereign care!

-Jeffrey Thornton