The Privilege of Pain

I want to know Christ
and the power of his resurrection
and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings...
Philippians 4:10

I very much want to know Christ more intimately and the idea of his resurrection power is very cool...but...the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings? That doesn't sound good at all.

Have you ever lost someone or something very dear to you? Who do you turn to at such a time?
One who has experienced the same thing, right?

I remember exactly where I was the moment I first thanked God for a divorce that almost destroyed my spirit...while praying with a woman going through the same thing...

My own suffering and experience gave me credibility in her eyes. While I prayed with her, my heart soared in thankfulness that I was God's hands and feet to a fellow hurting human.

The privilege of pain is twofold: Greater intimacy with our God and credibility to minister to others in like circumstances.