Quick search revealed these passages:

Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:38).

“[We are] joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him” (Rom. 8:16-17).

“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18).

“And this is God’s doing. For to you has been granted, for the sake of Christ, not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him” (Phi!. 1:28-29).

“I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the Church” (Co!. 1:24).

“You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons: ‘My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.’ Endure your trials as ‘discipline’; God treats you as sons” (Heb. 12:5-7).

“[A]ll discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it” (Heb. 12:11).

“In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials” (1 Pet. 1:6).

“Whenever anyone bears the pain of unjust suffering because of consciousness of God, that is a grace. . . Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps” (1 Pet. 2:19-21).

Also, I am looking forward to finding C.S. Lewis’ “The Problem with Pain” (In which I read suffering here) One conclusion is that pain is “planting the flag of truth in the conciousness of the rebellious free spirit of man”. (paraphrased – you can see why I want to read it).

The problem of evil/suffering in the world is a major stumbling block for many, who do not believe that a benevolent God would allow suffering. Suffering is absolutely essential to direct us to God, for without it, proud beings such as us, would tend to believe that we don’t need him. Sort of a divine whack up side the head.

In it’s simplest form, I think of suffering as a tool of perfection for us, forcing a dependence on God for life, and also pointing out to us “free spirits” that sin is not a good thing.

Moms and Dads do it all the time:

Johnny, don’t touch the stove – it will hurt…….see, I told you so, now go bandage your hand and remember what I tell you is true.

Tradition backs this up, of course. Augustine’s writings some to mind.

Also, being on the verge of the lenten time, this question is entirely appropriate. See also Pope Bendict’s 2006 thinkings on human suffering and our duty to alleviate it – Great insight on the scripture:

“Jesus, at the sight of the crowds, was moved with pity” (Mt 9:36).

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20050929_lent-2006_en.html

Cheers.

Sounds like a very Catholic attitude, and I can relate….

Cheers.