Baptism of Suffering

Today I read an article by Mark Galli entitled "Baptism & Fire". He speaks of God calling us to suffer in order to build our character.
If God the Holy Spirit drove Jesus into the desert to face hard temptations, just after being acknowledged as the Beloved Son, by the Father, then we can expect to be tested too.
He compares it to the hazing and mistreatment poured out on a new recruit in a fire dept.
Rookies are raked over the coals, like a soldier, to see if they can stand the pressure of viewing burnt bodies,& grieving families, & still risk their lives in a burning building.
God sometimes leaves us in the desert of temptation, or pulls us thru the fire of false accusation, or leaves us in a disappointing relationship , to build our character.
Often it's not just to build us into a better person but to prepare us to minister to some other needy individual.
"The God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction" 2Cor.1:3-4
It's not always about us. Suffering builds character muscle for various reasons,God only knows why.

"Lord you know what a wimp I am. Help me to trust You and know that You are allowing suffering for a purpose"