We have been considering Jesus' prayer to the Father to keep us from the evil one. We have said the Father protects us spiritually so that we are able to withstand the spiritual attacks of Satan, but that we may also suffer physically in this life. Does this mean we have no physical protection from the Father?
Job teaches us that we have physical and spiritual protection though we may still suffer. The point is that our Father does not allow us to suffer without an eternal purpose.
There are three biblical causes of suffering; Satan (Job 1:9-22; Ephesians 6:12-20), God (Job 1:9-22) and our choices (John 5:14). So how do we know which is the cause? Start by committing yourself to God, resist Satan and he will flee from you (James 4:7-8), put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:14-20), and base all your decisions on how it will bring glory to God (Colossians 3:17,23). Finally repent and turn away from sin (James 5:13-18).
If you are still suffering, commit it to the Lord trusting that he knows what he is doing (Isaiah 55:10-13).
