Suffering - whatever form it may take - seems negative , without purpose ,and without values, but all suffering need not be so. Most of the time suffering is imposed upon us in ways beyond either our control or our understanding. Under such circumstances we pray for strength to endure and hope to profit in some way by the experience.
  There are situations where individuals voluntarily choose suffering for themselves in order to protect another .Such actions are ex-pressions of love , and love can transform suffering into sacrifice.
To do something for the sake of another , is an ex-pression  of  love , and love is redemptive!