Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you,
B. There is educative suffering, called chastening  (Hebrews 12:5,6), which is allowed of God, or even on occasion sent by God, having as its purpose: (1) the correction of faults, (2) the strengthening of faith and (3) the promotion of the soul's eternal welfare.  The reaction to this type of suffering (and in a sense to all suffering) is prescribed as follows: (1) the child of God must not despise it; (2) he should submit to it; (3) he must not faint; and (4) he should attempt in every way to reap the benefit God intended by it.  For a full discussion of "Chastening," see my Commentary on Hebrews, p. 318.