Learning Obedience Through Suffering

"Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.  And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him."  Hebrews 5:8, 9

A few observations on this passage:

• From this passage and others, my view of suffering and God's view are different.  I see suffering as something to be avoided.  God sees it as a tool for sanctification.  I see it as a threat to my immediate comfort.  God sees the big picture and the long view of my salvation.
• Because Christ was fully God and fully man, he learned obedience through his suffering.  It is amazing to me that God can use the most horrific experiences for his good purposes.  The suffering I experience because of my own sin, someone else's sin, or Satan's attacks are not more powerful than God.  He is Omnipotent, Almighty God over my suffering.  My suffering cannot take him by surprise. 
• Because Christ learned obedience this way, because he was perfected (in the human sense) and became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, I can take confidence that, by God's grace, my suffering will result in my glorification and eternal salvation.
• My eternal salvation is linked with obedience to Christ.  I will learn obedience through suffering.  God, help me to view suffering as you view it...as a means to sanctify me, fitting me for glory, and making me more like Christ.