This is not a popular or easy teaching, but the meat of The Biblical Teaching emphasizes there is a massive purpose for trials. Picture it as if a currency of your country had some tremendous exchange rate in another country: for instance 1 U.S. Dollar is worth approximately 287 Greek Drachmas presently. It says "the sufferings of this present age are producing a weight of eternal glory far beyond comparison" (2 Cor 4:17, see also http://biblehub.com/romans/8-18.htm ). So suffering is worth far more than that in heaven... In the same way, human trials, persecution and suffering "in this present age" is worth "far beyond comparison" of any human exchange rate, and is an eternal teasure in heaven, which neither moth nor rust can destroy, nor thieves be able to break in and steal. For where your treasure is your heart will be also" (Matt 6:19-21).
I have been getting most of the power from this from the biographical piece on Jesus provided by the "Author of Hebrews (Heb 5:8-9). It states the following: "Jesus, though Son of God" in Heaven from all eternity, "learned obedience from what He suffered" here on Earth -- gives tests and suffering a whole new dignity and paradigm. It goes on to say His trials actually fitted Him to be the Savior and Ruler of The World. Earth is the only place to learn "patient endurance" as Peter (The whole 1st Epistle)* and James says to "consider it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith" has a goal of perfecting you (James 1:12). Paul explains Jesus "emptied Himself" of His rights and privileges to become a servant (Phil 2:1-11) and if Jesus could empty Himself, who are we to do any less? He was perfected by His suffering to the point of death on a cross, and since, "Jesus has become the source of eternal salvation to all who follow Him" (as our Leader)...
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty conceit (vanity), but in humility of mind consider others as more important than yourself" -- have the attitude of Christ who emptied himself of His privileges and took on the form of a Servant obeying Himself to death on a cross (Phil 2:1-5). Since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourself with the same purpose (1 Peter 4:1-2) -- let's stop running from suffering, we are called and destined for it so we can be suitable "little priests" that can deal compassionately with others under our "Great High Priest Jesus who was fitted for His ministry by suffering on earth for humans to save humans and has since, in a glorified human body, "passed through the heavens" -- He could not have learned how to obey in the face of suffering, ridicule and persecution or been prepared to be a Priest FOREVER in Heaven, because heaven, by definition, is perfect and offers no provision to suffer!
This is what we are to learn here on earth, as all the apostles, and everyone who desires to live Godly in Christ Jesus, must learn. Then God equates the suffering we patiently endured with eternal glory, far beyond comparison, as one star differs from another in glory, at the resurrection and regeneration of all things (Matt 19:28, Acts 3:21). May God strengthen us for coming storms and even normal trials in Jesus' Name.
