Sometimes God's plan is not what we expect

How can suffering and death be part of God's plan?

It would seem that was the question banging around in the Apostle Peter's mind when he hear Jesus start to explain for the first time where this quest was heading. This couldn't be God's will, God's plan.

Surely the Messiah was to bring victory and success.
So Peter decides to put Jesus straight. He REBUKED the Son of God!

Jesus response:

"Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." - Mark 8 v 33

We seem often to side with Peter rather than Jesus. This Christian life could not lead to suffering. Surely that could not be God's plan.

But Jesus is very clear, he is more interested in the salvation of our souls than the comfort of our bodies!

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. " - Mark 8 v 34 - 35

Jesus help me to follow you no matter what and to trust your plan for my soul.

So then, those who suffer ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. - 1 Peter 4 v 19