Progression

12.1.2010

Romans 5:3-5 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 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

Last night I read the blog of a dear friend whose husband is suffering from some, as yet, unexplainable malady. They just don’t quite know what’s wrong with him. It would be an understatement to say they’re concerned over the current set of circumstances. Now if given the choice to have this taken away, I believe they’d do so, but in the midst of their trial of affliction and the unknown, there is a spark of hope brightly shining. And they recognize Jesus is with them no matter what.

It’s not my intent to define what Paul calls suffering in this passage because I know unbelievers suffer just like believers. I don’t want to say that suffering is just spiritual either, because whatever happens to us in life is spiritual in the sense that we have a spirit and are spirit beings.

So, suffering in whatever sense, is a part of a progression that ought to lead us to holiness, godliness and love. The reason the saint can rejoice in suffering is because he sees God in it and knows that God lovingly uses it to effect holiness and righteousness in His children. And Paul doesn’t say it can; he says, it does.

Today, wherever we are and whatever our suffering, we must cling to the truth of the Lord’s reign in our hearts. He’s in control and that ought to make us immensely happy – joyful to the point of crying out. Suffering is a normal part of the progression; and in the saint leads to a life worth living here as we wait for life worth living there…

Father in Heaven,
May suffering have it’s share of the progression of my life; may it produce endurance, character, and hope. May I not fear but only trust that You love me and that all things work together for good for those who love You – amen.