Why...do we even need to ask why?

I am currently reading through one of four books written by a good friend of mine.  The book is The Cup and the Glory, and I was reading through the chapter entitled "The Surprise".  Near the end of the chapter, there is one phrase that seemed to leap off the page and grabbed my attention. 

Stop figuring out why.  Follow instead the Pathfinder and Forerunner of our sufferings.

Now read over that phrase one more time.  Did you catch the impact in that statement.  You may be thinking, well this isn't a very uplifting statement because it talks about suffering.  But that is exactly why it is uplifting.  You see we often view suffering as a thing that is brought about because of something we do, or in the case of believer's life because of some sin.  Yet, we often forget the words of Paul in Philippians 1:29:

"For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake."

That is a verse I think we tend to read through and kinda skim over because we do not want the reality of it to sink into our minds and hearts.  It may be because of our lack of faith.  But whatever the reason we need to notice that suffering is part of being a believer whether we like it or not.  Yet it does not mean that we cause or sin and therefore suffering comes.  In some cases throughout the Bible, Job being an example of this, God allows the enemy to cause suffering or in the case of Peter to even sift us like wheat.  Yet, listen to what Peter says in 1 Peter 4:19:

"Therefore let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right."

Now back to the statement: "Stop figuring out why.  Follow instead the Pathfinder and Forerunner of our sufferings."

Ponder over that phrase a bit more and we will unpack it some more in the next few days.