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The Bible describes several ways in which suffering can be used for our good, though I have included all of them under the overall benefit of “turning us to God”.

For example, suffering can:

1) Refine our faith (I Peter 1:5-7)

2) Make us mature (James 1:2-4)

3) Allow an opportunity to display the works of God (John 9:1-3)

4) Conform us to Christ’s image (Rom. 8:28,29)

5) Produce in us perseverance and character (Rom. 5:3-5)

Martin Luther has an excellent discussion of this topic in his Treaties on Good Works, p. 110, Vol. 1 of Tappert’s collection of his works.

Where Is God When It Hurts, Philip Yancey, page 86