Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. – Romans 5:3-5
‘To glory in’, means to take great pleasure in, revel in or celebrate. | WATCH ON YOUTUBE
Things that make us happy, things that we want to relive, are situations of success and happy endings. Not suffering. Paul, however, is setting a totally different trend. He talks about glorying, exulting, even rejoicing in our sufferings. That would sound ridiculous except for the explanation he gives. Suffering is not an end in itself. It produces perseverance, character, and hope.
Perseverance means you just keep going on and on, even when all you want is to just give up. Suffering develops in us the ability to just hold on, to be tenacious, and hang in there.
Hold on to God, confident in His love and promises, which are true. When we persevere and hold on to our faith in God, knowing for sure, that nothing comes to us, except through the filter of His immense love for us, that then produces in us, the character of God.
In your place of suffering, would you hold on to God and His Word, as He refines you to reflect Him?
Lord, help me today, in my pain and suffering, to hold on to You and your Word, I pray.
Extended Reading – Romans 4-7
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Useful tips and friendly tone — a winning combination. Thanks!