Suffering

I read this quote this morning
There is seldom a line of glory written upon the earth's face, but a line of suffering runs parallel with it.F.W. Faber

This verse is posted with it "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Rom 8:18 NIV

I have studied people who have incredible joy, who have incredible peace, who have something worthy saying and often they are people who have endured much suffering. Why is it that we have to walk the valley of suffering to understand joy and peace? Why do we have to walk the valley of suffering to have credibility?

I also know people who have suffered much who are very bitter. I believe suffering comes to all of us but we have a choice as to what we do with it. I pray that through the "sufferings" and the "pain of life" I have to walk, I will choose to "look up" and "reach out" as I believe it helps me to become stronger ... build muscle and endurance.

I just happened to read this thought this morning and wanted to record my thoughts as I was contemplating them.