One of the more interesting passages in the Bible is Hebrews 2:10, where it says that Jesus is “made perfect through suffering”. Jesus is God, equal with the Father, but He became flesh, was born into the world as a baby, and as a baby he had no character, He had to grow in character as you and I do. The phrase, “made perfect” means He became perfect in character, and it was accomplished by suffering. If there was ever a person who could grow in character easily, it would have been Jesus, but still suffering was required in order for Him to become perfectly mature and grown up as a man. The point being, if it was required for Jesus it certainly is going to be a requirement for you and I to grow in character. I don’t like suffering, I don’t even like minor irritations, but I can’t grow mature without them and the more I have the faster I will grow. Sufferings and trials don’t automatically produce character. In many people they produce bitterness, anger, self pity, and major grumbling and grouchiness. The Bible says, rejoice when you suffer and then you will grow. We don’t rejoice because it is fun, we rejoice because God said to, and that obedience in the face of pain brings great grace and life change from God. What I am in character when I enter eternity is what I am, suffering is over. I want to enter eternity as much like Jesus in character as possible so I can enjoy Him, and He can enjoy me for ever. If I have that eternal perspective sufferings become my friend, which doesn’t mean I go looking for trouble but it does mean that I get over fussing, whining, and feeling sorry for myself when life gets hard, it is supposed to be hard.