Believing In A God Who Allows Suffering

I am taking a class on line called 10 Reasons To Believe In A God Who Allows Suffering. Three of the reasons that have really struck home are:
Pain loosens our grip on this life, Suffering reveals what is in our hearts and Suffering gives us an opportunity to trust God. This past year I have learned to let go of so many things that I used to hold tightly. I am letting go of perfectionism, the importance of what people think of me, and the tendency to sweat the small stuff. My prayer is that through my suffering God has seen a heart that trusts Him, that refuses to whine or have a pity party and a heart that is reaching out to others in compassion. Because I feel I have been taken to the edge of eternity through this cancer journey I have learned to trust God in a way I never have before. It is one thing to say I trust God, it is another to know that my life is literally in His hands and to trust Him with it.
I feel have spent this past year as a student and as a teacher. Each day I have showed up in God's classroom to learn the lesson of the day. I have then gone to my school and to my friends and I've tried to teach what I am learning. God has used suffering and pain as His daily lesson plan in my life this year. I have to say I have never learned as much as I have this past year. I know God allows suffering and pain for our benefit, not for our destruction. My prayer is that when you go through suffering your heart will stay soft towards God and that you will embrace all that He has for you in it. Don't waste any time feeling sorry for yourself or being angry with God. You will only end up a bitter and angry person. You choose how you respond to what God allows to come into your life. Purpose to respond with a God saturated soul that is full of faith. Take every ounce of your pain and turn it into something good. It is possible. God already knows the ministry He wants to make out of your life. Don't miss it. I am excited to see what God has for me next year. I know there are dozens of divine appointments where I can use what He has taught me to bless and encourage others.

P.S. I had my carotenoid levels tested (immune system strength) this week. The last test in April my levels were at 63,000 which is 4,000 above the highest the printed graph will show. This week it was 75,000!!! My doctor said they have never had anyone read that high in their office. I was so excited to see how strong my immune system was even though I did not have my carrot juice or veggies while I was in El Salvador! I see my oncologist on July 15th for another exam and blood panel! God is healing me! YEAH!!