Suffering is useful

Fenelon speaks of suffering as "God's exercise program, His gymnasium". It is through difficulty that we get into shape. The idea that challenges are necessary for our growth is basic to human development. I have yet to see a baby learn to walk that never fell down! But, sometimes we are reluctant to accept that application in our spiritual lives. Can we discern between God's discipline and His blessings? In my life the distinction between the two has blurred over time. In retrospect, God's discipline has often been His blessing to me - even though it didn't seem that way at the time.