Joy in Suffering?

James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

It is a very challenging idea to rejoice through suffering. The last thing we want to do through pain is thing positively. But God does use hard times in our lives to produce endurance and character. God seems to always work things out for his good when we are in Him. Although it hurts us and may tear us down, God can work through trials for His Glory. I believe Horatio Spafford, the author of the hymn, "It is well with my Soul," wrote this shortly after he was virtually left with nothing. All of his children died and the Great Chicago Fire ruined him financially. In this painful part of his life, Spafford managed to say the words, "it is well with my soul," although he had next to nothing left in this world. He rejoiced through the pain and strife.
We should be able to do the same. Even though we are not usually faced with this massive amount of loss, we are told to have joy, because pain produces endurance. Horatio Spafford is an amazing example of endurance for Christ. For through tough times, God produces an enduring and faithful man after His own heart.