Rejoice!

 Romans 5:3-4 ESV 

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope

 

We might think we have to lie down under a rock when we suffer, but Paul insists we can rejoice. Suffering isn't meaningless. It can produce endurance.

If we never suffered, we'd have precious little endurance. The slightest little bump in the road would knock us for six. If we want to develop good characters, we need to endure suffering.

Good character is developed in the furnace of affliction. Our dross is skimmed away. We come out purer than gold.

If we can see that our characters are developing positively, we can have hope that God is working on us. He wants to transform us into the likeness of Christ. If we can see him doing that, we can be encouraged.

'Sovereign Lord God, please help us to see that you work all things together for good for those that love you, who are called according to your purpose. In Jesus' name we ask this, amen'.

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