God has a purpose in our suffering and sorrow. It works a complete work in us.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but THE EXISTENT ONE delivers him out of them all. Psalm 34:19

Sometimes, the deliverance seems a long way off, but it is always there in God's plan. Suffering, for those who follow Christ, is always a blessing. It is the way that God refines us. Gold, when it is refined, is put over heat. As the gold is heated, the impurities come to the surface. The refiner skims off the impurities and keeps heating the gold until the gold is pure. The refiner knows that the gold is pure when He can see His own image in the gold. Gold is a type of deity. God is shaking everything so that only that which cannot be shaken will remain. That which cannot be shaken is Christ in you, which is your ministry. He must become more and more and your old fleshly nature must become less and less--until His glory, righteousness, holiness, and redemption is complete in you.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall make utterance against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:10-12

If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. If they persecuted Me they will persecute you... for they do not know the One who sent Me. John 15:19-21

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:16-17

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the supernatural belief, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22

yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12

Don't marvel, my brothers, if the ordered system hates you. 1 John 3:13

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9

...when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 'Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth'; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. 1 Peter 2:20-23

...even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 1 Peter 3:13-16

Forasmuch then as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, wild parties, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries: Because of this they think it strange that you run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 1 Peter 4:1-4

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christs sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 1 Peter 4:12-14

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross.... For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. Hebrews 12:1-3

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:20-21

For to you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe into Him, but also to suffer for his sake; Philippians 1:29

...what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.... Philippians 3:7-10

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled Himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8