God's rod is a pencil to draw Christ's image upon us. By Charles Spurgeon.

Psalm 119 verse 67. Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I obey your word.

Affliction is never accidental for the believer. Every trial, pain and hardship is sovereignly appointed by God for his glory and our good. the world sees suffering as meaningless, or merely as an obstacle to their happiness. But Scripture teaches that suffering is a tool in the hands of our loving Father to purify our faith, to humble our pride, and to draw us nearer to Jesus.

But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come forth as gold. Job chapter 23 verse 10

God often uses affliction to bring his people to repentance, to teach them humility, to refine them in the furnace of affliction, to draw them closer to himself, to cause them to live a more holy life, to strengthen their faith and to conform them to Christ.

God's rod is a pencil to draw Christ's image upon us.

God's people never grow strong in grace without trials. Troubles are the tools with which God polishes his jewels. The pruning knife is never out of his hand, and it is never used without wisdom or love.

Affliction is not the end of the story. One day, every tear will be wiped away, every pain will be no more. and we will see our trials as God's instruments that shaped us for eternity. Until that day we endure with faith, knowing that God is working out his perfect plan.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans chapter 8 verse 18

for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verses 17 and 18