Grace Means Suffering - Resolution 2

Resolved: That every precious moment of my life shall be governed by no other aspiration than suffering for the Gospel and the glory of God, with excelling persistence and joy.

"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity" ~ II Timothy 1:8-9
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation." ~ I Peter 4:12-13

Suffering and Joy are typically two words that are never used in conjunction with one another in our culture today. These terms are viewed as opposite ends of a spectrum. There are those that say the key to life is to neglect all pleasure and joy and devote oneself to suffering and servitude. The other side says that the key to life is to embrace all pleasure and pursue total gratification. Each side makes a good argument. Unfortunately, neither is Biblical.
I can understand why the lost world can not comprehend it but I cannot understand why the church cannot grasp the wonderful God-placed relationship between the two. John Piper coined a term that I am fond of: Christian Hedonism. It is a term that describes the biblical life style where the believer's sole purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. We constantly strive to separate suffering and joy when Scripture is so adamant about keeping the two together. Neither, alone, can bring glory to God. Only when we suffer with joy can we truly praise our Heavenly Father.
The Christian life is about sacrifice. ("But the LORD was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief." ~ Isaiah 53:10) It centers around the sacrifice of Christ and spreads out to the sacrifices we are called to make. A sacrifice without suffering is not a sacrifice. It is suppose to be hard. But when we allow the Spirit to break our pride we can then truly run through suffering with persistence and joy thereby bringing glory to the Father.
Why do we curse God and complain about our petty issues and angst? We are called to praise and worship Him by embracing every tribulation, every affliction, every adversity, and every torment with rejoicing. Sing praises to God who is Great. Who is above every pain. Worship the One who is the Great Comforter in every trial.
We are called to have the same attitude that was in Christ Jesus. And we are told that Jesus is "the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2). Do you see the connection? Christ suffered more than any man ever has or ever will, yet He did it for the joy set before Him. Christ, as God, understood the connection. There is our example. And since we are "fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:17-18)