Karen looked at her engagement ring...again. The ring with tiny diamonds centered in white-gold petals on either side of the modest diamond in the center still made her breathless. She and her childhood sweetheart were graduating from high school in just a month. They could see only their love for each other, not the obstacles that stood in their way. One of the biggest obstacles was that Gary's mother did not approve of her. She had sent Gary to a military academy in order to separate them.

A car drove up in front of the farmhouse where Karen lived with her family. Even though she was home alone, she went out to greet Gary's mother when she recognized the car, hoping that the engagement would lead to an improvement in their relationship.

"Won't you get out and come in?"

"No, I only came by to see the ring. Gary wrote to us saying that he had proposed to you."

Karen held out her left hand to Gary's mother. It was almost dark, so the dim light did not allow the ring to sparkle the way Karen desired.

"May I have a closer look?"

"Sure," Karen replied, removing the ring and handing it to her.

She took the ring and spent a minute or so looking at it.

Karen shifted uneasily, wishing she had the ring back on her finger.

"I don't know where Gary got enough money for an engagement ring. I'm going to keep it until I can find out where it came from."

Without another word, she drove away.

If you were Karen, what would be your response?

Regardless of what you did next, you could not improve the situation. A time that should have been exciting and filled with joyful anticipation suddenly and horribly became a time of suffering for Karen.

Suffering comes to us all. It is one of the consequences of living in a sinful world. The Bible clearly states that suffering comes to both the innocent and the guilty. Our response to suffering sets the Christian apart from the rest of the world.

The time to prepare for the way you respond to suffering is to practice that response before the suffering occurs. Here's my Suffering Summer Assignment for you:

• Read these Bible passages: Romans 5:3-5; James 5:7-11; 1 Peter 2:18-24; 1 Peter 5:6-10.
• With your best friend, role-play responses that Karen could have made until you discover one that would please God. Make it real.
• When you think you have a good response, put it in a comment to this article before the end of July. The response that would best show how Karen could have honored God in her suffering will receive a $10 gift card.
• Recall a situation in which you were innocent but suffered anyway. Role-play responses until you decide that your response would have honored God.
• Ask God to prepare you to honor Him when you are the one to suffer.

Don't be blind-sided by suffering. Just as a car crash will eventually happen if you drive, suffering will come. Be prepared to honor God in your suffering.

Lynnda Ell has been an active Christian for over 50 years She has three adult daughters and five grandchildren. She has had careers in accounting, direct sales, electrical engineering and writing. She lives and worships in New Orleans, LA. Check out Lynnda's blog.