Men will never be great in theology until they are great in suffering.

When the pangs shoot through our body, and ghastly death appears in view, people see the patience of the dying Christian. Our infirmities become the black velvet on which the diamond of God's love glitters all the more brightly. Thank God I can suffer! Thank God I can be made the object of shame and contempt, for in this way God shall be glorified.
~ Charles Spurgeon

God is more concerned with conforming me to the likeness of His Son than leaving me in my comfort zones. God is more interested in inward qualities than outward circumstances -- things like refining my faith, humbling my heart, cleaning up my thought life and strengthening my character.

If you had never known physical pain in your life, how could you appreciate the nail-scarred hands with which Jesus Christ will meet you?
~ Joni Eareckson Tada