Our Good God provides each person with a cross relevant to their strength; the idea is not suffering but the ascent from the cross to Heaven because in reality the cross is a stairway to Heaven.
If we realize what treasure we are saving from the pain of ordeals, we will not groan, but praise God bearing the small cross he gave us as a gift.
Thus, we will enjoy this life and we will receive pension and “gratuity” in the other one.
God has secured our reward in Heaven.
If we ask to be relieved from an ordeal, then He gives the reward to someone else and we lose it.
Whereas, if we are patient, He will gives us interest as well.
Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain