The Bible says we are to rejoice in suffering and difficulties - it is only through hardship that our faith is 'found unto praise and honour' (1 Peter 1:7). Speaking through the prophet Isaiah, God said 'I have refined you... I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction' (Isaiah 48:10). Beauty comes through ashes - joy from mourning. Jesus said that unless a grain of wheat is buried it remains only a single seed, but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit (John 12:24).

When Jesus was troubled, He asked 'what shall I say? 'Father save me from this hour?' No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour'' (John 12:27). It is through the suffering of Jesus that we have freedom. Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our sins, and because He was beaten we are healed! Because He was imprisoned, tortured and crucified, the scripture says, we can have forgiveness of sin and healing from sickness. Through the very suffering of Christ and the early church, the Gospel has come to you. 

The way to the blessing of God is through the fire. That has been the experience of my life. Every day I need more power from God but it comes only by walking into the fire, through persecution and difficulties.