Good Morning “Blessed Through Suffering.” Today we’re in Romans 5.
Blessed through suffering… what a strange concept. Having hope in the midst of darkness is indeed a blessing but how does that kind of hope come? According to Paul, who is no stranger to either - hope comes through suffering.
“And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:2-4 NIV
In fact all the byproducts of suffering are counted as blessing. James seems to agree (James 1).
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4 NIV
When we suffer through tough life stuff we don’t usually count it as joy. Recognize however that some of the best lessons, some of the deepest growth happens through the tough stuff. In sports we know that training for competition isn’t typically fun. It is however essential. A good training program produces success.
Furthermore, there are aspects of Gods character we only get to see in the midst of suffering. There has to be a trial for us to experience peace that transcends all understanding in the midst (Philippians 4:6). We often don’t recognize answered prayers until we’re on our face pleading. How would we know God is still in the business of doing miracles unless we need one? Through suffering we can move from knowing Gods nature to TRULY knowing we are loved and cared for, and thus be moved to love Him back.
Don’t mistake happiness for Joy. Joy isn’t dependent on circumstances - happiness is. Pure joy only comes through Jesus in us (Galatians 5:22-23). It can’t be temporarily manufactured by the world’s offerings. I don’t think James or Paul are suggesting that we’re gitty happy when things go bad, but we can be full of joy knowing Gods got a plan, and is about to do something big! In the end even if we don’t like the plan, we have promise that it’s GOOD (Psalm 100:5; Jeremiah 29:11)!
Love you all! Dig in and live it out!
Blessed through suffering… what a strange concept. Having hope in the midst of darkness is indeed a blessing but how does that kind of hope come? According to Paul, who is no stranger to either - hope comes through suffering.
“And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:2-4 NIV
In fact all the byproducts of suffering are counted as blessing. James seems to agree (James 1).
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4 NIV
When we suffer through tough life stuff we don’t usually count it as joy. Recognize however that some of the best lessons, some of the deepest growth happens through the tough stuff. In sports we know that training for competition isn’t typically fun. It is however essential. A good training program produces success.
Furthermore, there are aspects of Gods character we only get to see in the midst of suffering. There has to be a trial for us to experience peace that transcends all understanding in the midst (Philippians 4:6). We often don’t recognize answered prayers until we’re on our face pleading. How would we know God is still in the business of doing miracles unless we need one? Through suffering we can move from knowing Gods nature to TRULY knowing we are loved and cared for, and thus be moved to love Him back.
Don’t mistake happiness for Joy. Joy isn’t dependent on circumstances - happiness is. Pure joy only comes through Jesus in us (Galatians 5:22-23). It can’t be temporarily manufactured by the world’s offerings. I don’t think James or Paul are suggesting that we’re gitty happy when things go bad, but we can be full of joy knowing Gods got a plan, and is about to do something big! In the end even if we don’t like the plan, we have promise that it’s GOOD (Psalm 100:5; Jeremiah 29:11)!
Love you all! Dig in and live it out!
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