“Not only that, but 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, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” - Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
As we conclude these eight defenses against anxiety which is worry, we have actually cycled back to the matter of suffering for Jesus and for righteousness. Our promises are many in today’s passage. Suffering which normally and understandably, causes anxiety has for us an excellent pay-out. Paul, like James in his letter is not suggesting but is instructing us to not bemoan trials or testing which often come as suffering but to “count it all joy.” Sometimes our suffering is intense and we are told here the same lesson. We are to rejoice when suffering cuts our path and overtakes us. Why? Because we know that from suffering comes a chain of righteous character traits. Endurance comes from suffering if we rest in God’s promises. From endurance we become people with character – a rare commodity these days. Developing character results in having a hope that is sure and that does not disappoint us. We are not shamed because it is true and it comes to us from the Holy Spirit through the love of God poured into our lives.
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