Christians suffer as part of God's plan to perfect and strengthen them, ultimately leading them to rely on Him.
Suffering in the life of a Christian is often misunderstood, but it serves a greater purpose within God's sovereign plan. In 1 Peter 5:10, it is stated that after we have suffered for a while, God will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle us. This means suffering is a tool God uses to mature us spiritually, helping us to grow in reliance on Him. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:17 that our light affliction is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Therefore, suffering shapes our character, exposes our dependence on God's grace, and prepares us for a future glory that far outweighs our current trials.
Scripture References:
1 Peter 5:10, 2 Corinthians 4:17
Commentary