brain-twisting choice of being dead with Him

Mat 16:24, Mar 8:34, Luk 9:23 And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

2Ti 2:11-13 [It is] a faithful saying: For if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]: If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us: If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

The quality of faithfulness (steadfastness) in God is based on who He is. He cannot do otherwise.

Being alive with Him is a brain-twisting choice of being dead with Him and alive by faith in Him.
Suffering is an interesting issue, we 'suffer' whether we have made the choice to deny ourselves or not. Suffering in our flesh profits nothing, death to the dead. Suffering in Him is a daily faith choice, we reign (overcome in this world) by faith in Him.

If we deny Him - if we choice the arm of our human strength instead of His strength, His hands are tied, His strength can not be ours. For us steadfastness is a daily faith choice. We believe in His steadfastness, and are steadfast by faith in Him. Walking in faith in Him is our very life.