It is one thing to be persecuted for righteousness sake...most of us can understand that kind of suffering and, in some way, accept it.  It is the other suffering that doesn't seem to make sense that drives us to wonder, ponder, pray, seek God, etc.  We had a healthy discussion on it a couple of weeks ago on Kathy's blog, Where is God When I'm Hurting. This seem to be a common thread in many discussions we were having then and even some now, so I believe it is an issue God is impressing on His church at this time.  For my comments on this (I am the first to admit that I lack understanding) see Kathy's blog. This is a topic, Zach, that we need to understand today. Thanks for posting it again.

Voice
That was a very interesting discussion. I disagree with Kathy that all suffering doesn't have a purpose. As you can see...I think that suffering is ALWAYS intended. As Job said,

We have to remember that we are not our own. We are the clay in the hands of the Potter. He knows what He is doing, even when it hurts the clay. I put in the verses from the beatitudes for an example. We are gold that needs refining. Sometimes that will come in persecution...sometimes in the death of a person close to us. However it comes...God is using it to make us more useful to Him.