“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 the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” –Romans 5:3–5
As I was reading today’s SOAP verses, this verse where Jesus was comforting His disciples popped into my heart:
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage—I have conquered the world.” – John 16:33
Dear friend, you are not in a place of suffering as a failure! No! You are in that place as an overcomer. A victory is delivered to you by the One who loves you, the One who is undefeatable.
This statement gives me so much joy and hope; hope to continue to trust God through my hard times.
Rejoicing becomes much easier because our present situation can not drown us. Rather, it refines and purifies us, producing in us the fruit of the Spirit.
Through the process of suffering, the ability to wait, and wait patiently, is produced in us. We are delivered from being fickle and given the ability to endure and remain true to God and His Word, no matter life’s circumstances.
The ability to believe God and wait on and for Him through whatever comes our way is developed in us with every trial we face.
Suffering produces hope; a hope that keeps us true and walking with God no matter what we are going through. A hope that assures us that we are already victors.
The best part of all this for me is that hope in God does not disappoint. No matter the severity of the storm, God is always in control. Jesus was confident while He was in the boat when the storm was raging on the sea because He knew the power of God.
The hope that we gain through our times of hardship does not disappoint.
No, this hope is sure and trustworthy. This hope is grounded, rooted, and anchored in Jesus. He is the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
This hope is straight from the love of our Father who loves us and is with us in every storm. And this love through His Spirit has been poured out, overflowing into our hearts. We can be sure of this.
This hope does not disappoint because of the love of the Father that lives in our hearts when we place our faith in Jesus.
Suffering is a bridge, not an endpoint. Our suffering produces hope, hope in God not in the changing of our circumstances.
Our hope is birthed and renewed when we fix our eyes on Jesus, when we constantly feed on the promises of God.
Shalom, dear friend.
