Suffering a Gift from God?

The bible says Jesus was made perfect through suffering. Paul in Romans says Rejoice when you suffer, (5:3) because it trains us to endure. So should we ask for suffering? Should we be like Luther, who beat himself? Do we go off into the desert? Go sell everything? Get rid of anything that makes us comfortable. Get rid of things we do for fun? What does this pain thing mean?

On September 11th, 2001 the same day as the attack, I heard this poem.

Suffering, God’s Gift

I offer gift to you,
suffering, pain & woe.
All stronger than you,
can stand or endure.
Will you trust Me,
when I offer this gift?
Will you still follow,
as you bear your cross.

Cross too heavy,
to carry on your own.
Will you join martyrs,
ready to die for Me?
In midst of senseless death.
Death of innocents,
death unexplained,
pain to no purpose.

Will you seek My purpose?
Will you follow Me?
Will you drink My cup,
offered James & John?
Will you find joy,
in midst of suffering?
Feel My love,
in midst of tears?

© Presbypoet, 1: 15 PM, September 11, 2001, still in shock at unknown, awful, pain and loss.
Loss that served no good purpose, yet death planned by unknown killers. Lord, help us see you in this pain.
Help us see you in such awful death.
Help us say, forgive them, they know not what they do.