Hope Does Not Disappoint

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory. Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through Holy Spirit who was given to us.  Romans 5:1-5 NET

We might read these verses and think that the command is for us to be happy and excited about suffering. Yet the thought of rejoicing in suffering is crazy talk to many. Others might think that it’s an ungracious, unrealistic approach to the real challenges of pain, of loss, grief. 

Yet when we sit with Jesus, prayerfully talk with Him, Holy Spirit teaches us to rejoice in suffering because suffering produces character, namely, the character of Christ. The funny thing is that this sort of character transformation produces joy, and therefore our rejoicing will always be based in Christ and not in how we feel.

Endurance in suffering isn’t about pulling yourself up by your bootstraps; instead, it’s about falling into the arms of our mighty God to receive help in all times of need.

Jesus Christ, steadfast, hung on the cross and asked God for mercy over the pitiful people who tormented Him. This should knock us onto our knees before Him with such raw reverence. 

So be prepared when you invite Jesus to be the centre of your life. It will be quite the ride. There will be celebration. There will be laughter. There will be anguish and tears. But He, our eternal Saviour, will never leave us drowning in the mud. So yes, suffering produces endurance—the endurance to keep going in faith as we wait for the day we will no longer suffer. 

And to clarify, Endurance does not mean ignoring the pain or trouble. As I’ve come to learn what it means to endure in suffering, I’ve discovered that it is to acknowledge the reality of the pain and to keep going in the strength that God provides.