Voluntary suffering and repentance

If you are not willing to repent through freely choosing to suffer, unsought sufferings will providentially be imposed on you.  St. Thalassios (7th century) 

What is the sense of suffering in our lives?  A three part interview with +Metropolitan Anthony Bloom (of blessed memory), Metropolitan of Sourozh (the Eastern Orthodox Church in Britain).  Start with part 1 here: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK1v0L7djrQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player