Can You Rejoice In Your Sufferings?
February 14, 2024
I’ve been baffled by the verse in Romans 5 which says, “we rejoice in our sufferings.” That seems like some kind of upside-down way of looking at things, doesn’t it?
Verses 2-5 surrounding that statement say, “We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame.”
These verses are calling us to step back from the micro look at our lives, and get more of a macro view. When we take a few steps back and see that God is up to something, especially when we go through various kinds of suffering, it makes it easier to get through it, with a kind of alert expectancy.
It doesn’t make the pain or difficulty any less, but there’s a grace, a living hope, that permeates everything you’re feeling.
Remember, choose hope today.