Ponder Suffering

In the past couple of weeks, I have come to believe that suffering is not only a possible piece of the Christian life, but an essential one.  Reflection upon John 13:16 and John 16:33, in conjunction with new insights into the Trinity, have all had the effect of a deeper understanding of Romans 8:17.  "Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them." "I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!" "it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him."  Therefore, it seems to me, to suffer and to share in the glory of Jesus are not two pieces of a whole, but rather one unified requisite.  Like the whole fruit of God's Spirit mentioned in Galatians 2, participating in the suffering of Christ and in his glory are one process.  One does not reach its fullness without the other.  Somehow, both are cause and caused interdependently.  Thus my life, being meant for complete transformation into the fullness of Jesus-likeness, is supposed to have experiences of suffering and of glory.  Both are part of the reality and process of my being made whole in God.  There is no dichotomy of choice; I should expect to share in these, if indeed I am a child of God.