Suffering?

That's not the reason for my blog absence . . .the last month has been full, but I am 5 days away from a 9-day break at home. The biggest projects of the semester are nearly over (after tomorrow), leaving mostly performance responsibilities, as well as the typical end-of-the-semester busyness that I tend to forget about. But, as you can see, I'm still alive and smiling. God has continued to prove His faithfulness, and to shine His glory even through frustrating inabilities.
Suffering. . . not sure why God has bombarded me with the subject the past two days. In my devotionals, in the Word, in church, in Sunday school--all have been centered on the glory of suffering. Can I share some of those thoughts with you? Whether God is preparing me for a wilderness trek, or simply purifying my perspective, I don't want to pass by these truths, nor do I want to neglect an opportunity to share something that might be encouraging to you as well.

"When the morning falls on the farthest hill
I will sing His name, I will praise Him still.
When dark trials come and my heart is filled
With the weight of doubt I will praise Him still."
-"I Will Praise Him Still" by Fernando Ortega

"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing us for an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison." 2 Cor. 4:16-17

"There never has been known a great saintliness of soul which did not pass through great suffering. When the suffering soul reaches a calm sweet carelessness, when it can inwardly smile at its own suffering, then it has wrought its blessed ministry; then patience has its perfect work, then the crucifixion begins to weave itself into a crown." -None But the Hungry Heart 11.15

"He will beautify the humble with salvation." Ps. 149:4

"You cannot show the preciousness of a person by being happy with his gifts. Ingratitude will certainly prove that the giver is not loved, but gratitude for gifts does not prove that the giver is precious. What proves that the giver is precious is the glad-hearted readiness to leave all his gifts to be with him. . . . But worship means cherishing the preciousness of God above all else, including life itself. It will be difficult to bring the nations to love God from a lifestyle that communicates a love of things. Therefore, God ordains in the lives of his messengers that suffering severs our bondage to the world. When joy and love survive this severing, we are fit to say to the nations with authenticity and power: Hope in God."
-John Piper