What is your theology of suffering?

In a message to college age young people at Resolved 2005, C. J. Mahaney urged, "You need to develop a theology of suffering before you encounter suffering!" D. A. Carson has said it is not an issue of when you suffer. Everyone will suffer. Live long enough and you will suffer. The issue is are you ready for it.

I am looking for responses to this question: How are you preparing for suffering? What is your theology of suffering?

I would be especially interested in hearing from younger people who have experienced little or no suffering in this life yet.