participating with jesus

I heard from two friends in the past few days. They are both going through great trials…life and death trials. We have been discussing I Corinthians, at Java Jack’s, and I thought of 1:9 when I heard from my friends. It goes like this:

“God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

I like participating in the “good” things of Jesus: fellowship, forgiveness, joy; but I would prefer to forgo the “bad” things: pain, sorrow, suffering. The later three, though, probably help me understand Him better. I don’t like participating in “pain,” but God knows me and He knows what I need, and I can trust Him to do the best for me. God is faithful in all things.