Gettin’ Your Jollies In Hard Times

Rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, 
so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
–1 Peter 4:13 (NIV)–

I have been crucified with Christ 
and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
–Galatians 2:20 (NIV)–

I rejoice in what I am suffering for you,
and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, 
for the sake of his body, which is the church.
–Colossians 1:24 (NIV)–

Because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
–2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (NIV)–

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, 
because we know that suffering produces perseverance.
–Romans 5:3 (NIV)–