“Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.
And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.
Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5 AMPC)
REFLECTION
I certainly don’t seek out suffering, but when it comes, opportunities and options come with it. The option to turn to the Lord in the suffering (as opposed to turning to destructive distractions) and the divine opportunity to know the all-knowing, all-powerful, omnipresent One in a deeper way and “…produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.”
PRAYER POEM
Loving Lord Jesus, You are our Living Hope, the perfect One, the sovereign Son. There is none like You, and in You I can experience all that is eternally good and true. In suffering or celebration, whatever my state, help me wait well and in Your presence dwell.
In Your name, Jesus, amen.