Rejoice!

"We like suffering, yes we do, we like suffering, how about you?"

Is this how you feel about suffering?  In Romans 5, Paul urges us to rejoice in suffering.  What exactly does he mean by this?  Are we really supposed to pretend suffering is not painful?  Do strong Christians go skipping off to chemotherapy and cheerfully bury their loved ones?  And if I am unable to do these things, does that mean my faith is a lie?

This verse is commonly misunderstood in this way.  In the sermon this Sunday, Pastor Cook helps us understand what Paul actually means.  We do not rejoice because of suffering, but by the grace of God, we can rejoice even during suffering, as we come to Him as needy little children for comfort and help.