Paul was willing to live in the midst of a persistent problem rather than compromise and take the easy way out. Knowing that where we are serves His purpose should bring joy to our hearts. It's the coarseness of sandpaper that makes the wood smooth. It's the sculptor's chisel that delivers the art from the granite. It's the heat of the furnace that gives durability to the clay.
Diamonds are lumps of coal that have been under pressure for years.
Pearls are what oysters make out of an irritating piece of sand. Many of the wonderful tools and convinces of our day were birthed by people seeking to solve problems. Their solutions have become an integral part of our lives. Think of living with electricity. What would life be like without cars, airplanes and telephones.