Suffering provides the gym equipment on which my faith can be exercised.

Jesus went without comfort so that you might have it. He postponed joy so that you might share in it. He willingly chose isolation so that you might never be alone in your hurt and sorrow. He had no real fellowship so that fellowship might be yours, this moment. This alone is enough cause for great gratitude!

In the Christian faith, God really puts suffering front and center. He doesn't get squeamish about it.

Sometimes God allows what he hates to accomplish what he loves.

Anyone who takes the Bible seriously agrees that God hates suffering. Jesus spent most of his time relieving it. But when being healed becomes the only goal - 'I'm not letting go until I get what I want' - it's a problem.

Cancer is such a wake-up call to remind us how high the cosmic stakes really are and how short and brief and frail life really is.