We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. 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. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
—ROMANS 5:1–5
WHAT A POSITION to be in! We have access to the Creator of the cosmos, and we are under grace by faith to boot! So let the sufferings come—and they will come! But look at what suffering produces! Perseverance, character, hope! Those are great qualities to have and each one is produced by suffering—of all things. Make a pact with God: “I will be a better man or woman because I have suffered, Lord”!
Prayer
Thank You, Father, for the lessons we learn by suffering. Help us to grow and do good things because of suffering. Help us learn perseverance from suffering. Help us all to stand firm when suffering comes. Amen.
—Phil