Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

James 1:2-3

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

1 Peter 4:12-13

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 5:2a-5

Counting it all as joy: the antidote to sickness, stress, exhaustion, emotional trauma, irritation, lack of time, lack of energy, humiliation, grief and apathy...anything that living on planet Earth can throw at me.

To participate in the sufferings of Christ? What an honor.

I am blessed. :)