23 Transformed Pain

You may have come across this poem attributed to a Confederate soldier, that expresses the concept of “transformed pain”:  

I asked for strength that I might achieve;

  He made me weak that I might obey.

I asked for health that I might do greater things;

  I was given grace that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy;

I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men

  I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;

  I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I received nothing that I asked for, all that I hoped for.

  My prayer was answered.

Do you agree with the philosophy of suffering expressed in this poem?  What have you “asked for”?  What have you been given?