God acts first to strengthen sufferers internally. If you “suffer in a Godward direction,” He gives you hope. It is in the context of suffering that God strengthens hearts in many ways: 1. The love of God pours out directly into the hearts of afflicted persons who rely on Him in hope (Rom. 5:3-5). 2. God becomes directly known – “seen” – in ways previously unimaginable (Job 42:5). 3. Our foolishness is revealed, so that we might receive growing wisdom directly from God (James 1:2-5). 4. We are remade into the image of Jesus, and established in the love of God (Rom. 8:29, in the context of 8:18-39). 5. We learn to trust and obey Jesus, who walked the path of unjust suffering ahead of us and now walks it with us (Heb. 4:14-5:9; 12:1-11). 6. Our self-centered cravings are revealed and our faith is purified and simplified (1 Peter 1:3-15).