"As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful."
The suffering of God's people at the hands of each other is no new thing. To encourage patience when we suffer because of the actions of other believers, we are pointed to the prophets. The prophets were doing God's work, and they suffered for it. At the time it must have been quite unpleasant. And I doubt that an outside observer would have had the foresight to rightly assess that the one suffering was blessed by God. Yet with foresight, "we consider those blessed who remained steadfast." Those who had patience in suffering were blessed.
Then of course there is the classic example of suffering, Job. Classic, I guess, because few can make a solid case that their situation is worse off than Job's situation. Yet in that horrible state God accomplished a purpose. And the inspired evaluation of the Lord's intention reveal His compassion and mercy. The compassion and mercy of God seen in suffering. I'd rather see it some other way, but that's desire only reveals my immaturity and lack of trust in the wisdom of God. In any case, when I do encounter suffering, especially at the hands of other believers, I should remember God's character and how He has worked in the past, knowing that He could be doing the same in my life.
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