Choosing.

Hebrews 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions;

Job 36:21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this have you chosen rather than affliction.

Psalm 84:10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God...

Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven...

Matthew 13:21 Yet has he not root in himself, but endures for a while: for when tribulation or persecution rises because of the word...

Acts 7:24, 25 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian...

Acts 20:23, 24 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me...

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience;

Romans 8:17, 18, 35-39 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him...

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake...

2 Thessalonians 1:3-6 We are bound to thank God always for you, brothers, as it is meet, because that your faith grows exceedingly...

2 Timothy 1:8 Be not you therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner...

2 Timothy 2:3-10 You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ...

2 Timothy 3:11, 12 Persecutions, afflictions, which came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured...

James 1:20 For the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.

1 Peter 1:6, 7 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations...

1 Peter 4:12-16 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you...

the people.

Hebrews 4:9 There remains therefore a rest to the people of God.

Psalm 47:9 The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong to God...

1 Peter 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

the pleasures.

Job 20:5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

Job 21:11-13 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance...

Psalm 73:18-20 Surely you did set them in slippery places: you cast them down into destruction...

Isaiah 21:4 My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure has he turned into fear to me.

Isaiah 47:8, 9 Therefore hear now this, you that are given to pleasures, that dwell carelessly, that say in your heart, I am, and none else beside me...

Luke 12:19, 20 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry...

Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things...

James 5:5 You have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; you have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.

Revelation 18:7 How much she has glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she said in her heart...