Romans 1:23-28b

and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

(v23-28, NIV)

What's up with this pattern of exchange leading to God giving people over to an outward manifestation? Well, we see from it that these things are a judgment of God upon the human race. We don't take any one thing like AIDS and claim it's a judgment upon homosexuals and the sexually immoral. Rather, homosexuality and sexual immorality are both forms of judgment upon the human race. Similarly, AIDS is a judgment upon the human race. However, as children of God, how do we reconcile this? Do we receive judgment in the same way the world receives judgment? It's not like we're saved and immediately taken out of this world of sin; rather, we remain in this world and are to reflect God's glory to others. When we are born again, we do not experience the same sufferings the world experiences in the same way. These things are judgments upon the world, but for us it is a path to holiness and heaven. We are free from slavery to sin and we are no longer seen as clothed in our filthy sins. Rather, Jesus takes our sins and has paid for them. Then, we receive Jesus' imputed righteousness.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

(Romans 5:1-5, NIV)

So, how do we face suffering? We look to God and know that trials produce perseverance. It is not a judgment from God, but a chance to grow and to continue to give God glory. Don't be afraid of sufferings. We live in a cushy North American culture where we avoid suffering at all costs. I'm not saying that you should go purposefully stubbing your toe or something. Rather, life's main goal shouldn't be to cruise along without so much as a paper cut. God is our center and our focus and if following him leads to tough times do not be afraid. I may have sidetracked quite a bit, but we see how the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. God gives people over and we see the judgment of God upon the world. However, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we do not need to receive it in the same way as the rest of the world. Rather, sufferings are a good thing for the believer. We faithfully rest in the grace provided by the only one who is able. He alone is worthy.