Drink the Cup

"Jesus said to them, 'You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with," Mark 10.39

A verse that grabs my attention. In this passage, Jesus is speaking to John and James, who have asked that when Jesus comes to His kingdom, they might sit on His right and left. He, of course, denies this, as it is not in His power to give such things, and they know not what they asking. (So that you have context)
I think that this verse, however, like all verses in the Scriptures, has meaning for us. I think that this verse somewhat applies to the sufferings and trials we face today:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything." James 1.2-4
"who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Pt 1.5

The trials we face lead to our maturity, much like the growing pains of infants and teens. Further, trials give us the opportunity to prove our obedience to God.  Jesus said many times that He did and said only what the Father told Him to do and say. Sadly, I doubt many of us manage the same. Trials, as it is written, are like the purifying process of gold or silver---to strain out the impurities (sins) of us all.
Think on your last (or current trial). How have you handled it? Did/Are you handling it by yourself, refusing to ask for the help of your Abba Father? What did you learn, what are you learning? What did you find of God in it?
Let us think on the fact of how much Jesus went off by Himself to pray. What He must have said and understood, being without sin, full of the Spirit (being God in form as well)! The more prayer said, the more connection one has with God, the more strength one has from the Father.
Trials will come---they are guaranteed to come, which makes sense especially considering we are not of this world. I am certain, too, that it gives the evil one great delight in attempting to pry us from the Father. Trials will come. Trials came to our Savior, and, according to the opening verse, we will drink of His cup...I assume that to be the cup of suffering He asked the Father to remove. We will face suffering, yes.
But do you see the last part? The last part of the verse that is so important to see and remember? We are baptized in His baptism. That is the Holy Spirit; never alone, never abandoned, never fighting trials alone...never being unsure what to say if even in courts for our faith. The Spirit is ever with us---and that is an incredible thing.
Francis Chan, in "Forgotten God" which focuses on the Spirit being forgotten in 'modern' culture, points out the fact that we rarely consider that the Spirit of God dwells in us. Dwells in us! At all times, we are carrying the Spirit, the great love of God (!) with us!
Turn to God in the midst of trials, when the idea of turning to Him seems pointless from the pits of despair we slump in. Reach, force your hand, hold and read the Scripture, absorb it; reach out in prayer, cry out to Him in the watches of the night. He is indeed there, dwelling in us, waiting to wipe the tears of our trials from our faces, to gather us in His holy arms. Reach out; He does not disappoint in answering with Love.