July 31, suffering that crushes faith. They have no root in themselves, but endure for a while,

then when tribulation or persecution arises, on account of the word, immediately they fall away.

March 4, 17. The faith of some is broken instead of built by suffering. Jesus knew this and

described it here in the parable of the four soils. Some people who hear the word receive it at

first with gladness, but then suffering makes them fall away. So affliction does not always make

faith stronger, sometimes it crushes faith. And then come true, the paradoxical words of Jesus,

the one who has not, even what he has, will be taken. March 4, 25. This is a call for us to

endure suffering with firm faith in future grace, so that our faith might go stronger

and not be proved vain. 1 Corinthians 15, 2. To the one who has, more will be given,

March 4, 25. Knowing God's design in suffering is one of the main means of growing through

suffering. If you think your suffering is pointless, or that God is not in control,

or that he is whimsical or cruel, then your suffering will drive you from God instead of driving

you from everything but God as it should. So it is crucial that faith in God's grace includes

the faith that he gives grace through suffering.