Suffering roots out wrongful pride, from "Imitation of Christ"

How does God use suffering and adversity to do good?  He allows it to purify our souls, aiding us in our understanding of Who created us and to Whom we shall turn for all we need.  He is not selfish in wanting us to depend on Him.   He is a loving Father, who wants us to know Him, who is Love.  Resisting Him is no different from our children resisting us and the good we offer.  Sometimes, we have to allow our children to suffer in order for them to know what is best.  

Imitationof Christ

1.12 Why Adversity

The Twelfth Chapter

The Value of Adversity

It is good for us to have trials and troubles at times, for they often remind us that we are on probation and ought not to hope in any worldly thing. It is good for us sometimes to suffer contradiction, to be misjudged by men even though we do well and mean well. These things help us to be humble and shield us from vainglory. When to all outward appearances men give us no credit, when they do not think well of us, then we are more inclined to seek God Who sees our hearts. Therefore, a man ought to root himself so firmly in God that he will not need the consolations of men.

When a man of good will is afflicted, tempted, and tormented by evil thoughts, he realizes clearly that his greatest need is God, without Whom he can do no good. Saddened by his miseries and sufferings, he laments and prays. He wearies of living longer and wishes for death that he might be dissolved and be with Christ. Then he understands fully that perfect security and complete peace cannot be found on earth.