Elisabeth Elliot:  One of the most transfiguring truths I know is that of our being called to share the sufferings of Christ. Colossians 1:24 and 1 Peter 4:12-19 put a wholly different perspective on the matter than any of us could have come up with. It's up to God to change hearts. It's up to us to do the simple (not always easy), humble, sacrificial thing, and to faithfully leave the rest to God. "Continue to do good" (1 Peter 4:19, NIV), which means just do the next thing, whatever that may be (mend those trousers? starch a white shirt?)