Thank You for My Suffering

Thank you for my suffering

That I may grow like you.

For through my suffering I seek

Your comfort to get me through.

Thank you for your strength and grace

That keeps me from day to day.

Thank you for your love so pure

Through gifts along the way.

If not for my suffering

I would be easy to deceive,

Fooled that I was worthy

Of the strength that I receive.

If not for my suffering,

I would guess that I was strong.

And when I fell in weakness,

I would find that I was wrong.

If not for my suffering

I’m afraid that I would stray

From the only good that I know,

Your presence day to day.

If not for my suffering,

I would live for the earthy gain,

Forgetting I’m bound for heav’n,

A far more glorious plain.

Thank you for my suffering.

In it with you I share

The glories of eternity;

Your presence, Oh, so fair.