Seventh Day Baptist
Christian Education Council
PO BOX 1678
Janesville, WI 53547
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
(ESV)
—Romans 5:1-5
by: Benny Uhlich.
It is one thing to endure suffering for the sake of Christ. But Paul talks here about exulting in it. When we go through hardships and we fully trust God’s guidance and protection, we know that we will make it through any trial we face in one way or the other. While never pleasant, we can learn through our tough times and can grow closer to God, gaining perseverance, character, and hope. The practice of praising God through our suffering is similar to that of physical exercise; it is difficult and there will be discomfort, but the end result makes it all worthwhile.