I ended my previous post with this observation: Since suffering is the norm (for now), the proper perspective for the Christian need not be "How can I avoid suffering?" but instead, "How can I suffer well?" That's the question we turn to now. In such a medium, I can't hope to do full justice to what could be said on this topic, but we can at least hit the highlights:

Suffer for the right reasons
     This is a gut check that should happen right away. As we see in 1 Peter 4:15-16, we should not confuse the consequences of our sin with true suffering. If our suffering is the consequence of sinful choices, then we are undergoing justice, not testing of faith. So to suffer well, we should first ensure that we are not self-deceived about it. Are people rejecting us or are they rejecting a witness that lacks integrity, gentleness, and respect (1 Peter 3:15-17)?

Confess Sin
     As James 5:15-15 shows us, there are times when even physical suffering is intended to move us towards repentance of sin. Recall how God afflicted the church in Corinth for their sins while celebrating communion (see 1 Corinthians 11:27-31). Then Paul tells them in 1 Corinthians 11:32, "But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world." Suffering that is not a natural result of our sin, but which seems to be an extra judgment, may also be the discipline of God seeking to save us from a more severe judgment. Some pain now may be lovingly administered so that we do not remain in our sin and face condemnation. It is wise to pray, as we see in Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

     There's a fine line to walk here, because one can go too far. There are some of us who, when we suffer, obsess over what sin in our life is the cause of our pain. It's not always like that. The Bible is filled with examples of people who suffered with no connection to sin they had committed.  But before we conclude that to be the case, let us examine our conscience and allow the Spirit to convict us and move us towards repentance.

Seek to learn what God might be teaching
     This continues naturally from the previous one, but moves beyond just learning about what we've done wrong. Sometimes God uses suffering to slow us down and get our attention so that he can teach us. The thorn in Paul's flesh was intended to reinforce humility and to prevent pride (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). In my own suffering this year, I've learned so much. Most memorably, I've learned that I was missing out on the joy that comes through thankfulness. I had expected that joy would produce thankfulness, but I've learned that it works the other way around - when I am thankful, then I have joy.
     So when you suffer, write things down, talk with a close friend, somehow listen and process what God might be teaching you during this season. And of course, you will be much more likely to hear what God is teaching if you are intentionally and regularly drawing close to his Word.

Be Honest
     Be honest when speaking with others, be honest in prayer to God, and be honest with yourself. You must be honest about how you feel, without putting on a show of holiness and fake joy. Seek solace in the Psalms and other Scriptures where suffering is put into words without compromising faith. The wound that we continue to hide will never receive healing.  And in your honesty, ask your brothers and sisters in Christ to pray with you and for you.  Tell them what is happening, tell them how you feel, tell them what you are learning, tell them how to pray for you.

Trust God without demanding answers
     Though God will teach you, he will probably not tell you everything you want to know. The greatest temptation when suffering is to complain. For the Christian, we can usually hold off on complaining, as long as we feel like we have some idea why this is happening to us. If we feel like we deserve it, or if we can imagine some greater purpose or meaning to justify our pain, then we can "trust" God and not complain.
     But that's not what trust looks like. If trust is contingent, if trust insists on having answers before it rests, then it is not trust at all. To suffer well, recall that his ways are higher, better, than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). It is not the role of the clay to tell the potter what to do (Romans 9:20-21). Our trust is rooted in God's character. We trust him because he has shown himself to be trustworthy, not because he has sufficiently explained himself to us. That was Job's desire, and he never received an explanation, only a reminder that it's not our place to know all things (Job 42:1-6).

Don't Suffer Alone
We are saved into a community that weeps with those who are weeping (Romans 12:15). There are people in the body of Christ who are gifted to serve you (1 Corinthians 12:7). One of the purposes of our suffering is to make us able to give comfort to others who are suffering (2 Corinthians 1:4-7). Seek community. Find people who can suffer with you, and find people whose joy lifts you out of your suffering, if only for a short time. The body of Christ should be a place where those who suffer need not add isolation to their grief.

Seek examples to follow
     Another aid to suffering well is to remember that you are not the first one to go through this valley. Scripture and church history are filled with stories and memories of men and women who have suffered faithfully and who have left their thoughts behind to encourage us. Learn from them. "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope" (Romans 15:4).

Keep your eyes on the big picture
     It won't always be this way. That's a promise that echoes all throughout Scripture. Jesus endured the cross because of the joy that was before him (Hebrews 12:2). The heroes of faith in Scripture lived with an eternal city and greater reward in mind (Hebrews 11:10, 13-16, 24-26).  Remember, our present sufferings can't even be compared to the glory that awaits us (Romans 8:18).

Rejoice
     Yes, Scripture tells us to rejoice in our sufferings (Romans 5:3; James 1:2). I don't consider this a starting point so much as a destination. Rejoicing in our suffering requires us to travel through the honest questioning and then settle in at trust. Trust grows as God reveals more of the big picture to us.  And as we recognize that we are always in the loving hands of our mighty and wise Father, we rejoice, knowing that, despite our inability to explain it, this is working for our good (Romans 8:28).