Romans 5:3-4
Most people desire to be at their best. Most people would never intentionally settle for mediocrity, but many do. For, becoming more than we are at the moment (growing, maturing) demands more than many are willing to pay. This is why Tom Landry (1924-2000), one of the greatest and most respected professional coaches of all time, said of his approach to coaching: “my task is to renew the minds of our players so that I can get them to do what they do not want to do in order for them to achieve what they want to achieve.”
Sufferings. From the Scriptures, we discover the road to spiritual maturity (becoming more than we are at the moment). We are given the sure way toward developing a great character: suffering. And in the words of Landry, we need to renew our minds to understand that what we desire (a Christ-like character) comes at a great cost – suffering (what we do not want to do).
The Bible teaches us that as we go through the process of suffering, character is produced:
“Wealso glory (rejoice) in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)
This is why Paul wrote, “we glory in our sufferings.” Godly character represents the divine result of adversity, and in this we rejoice.
Perseverance. When taking into consideration the tumultuous climate of persecution hoisted against the first century church, the above verse has direct correlations to the sufferings that came from such a hostile society. The sufferings (from the Greek term, thlipsis) refer to external sufferings or persecutions, and emphasizes how such duress causes internal sufferings in the human spirit. And these sufferings made the movement of the church stronger in faith. Therefore, suffering produces perseverance (an old word that expresses, “to bear up under”), and the believer is instructed to glory and rejoice amid suffering rather than sigh and submit to the pressures.
Character. This perseverance results in a good and godly character. The term rendered “character” in the above verse suggests “tested value.” The tested and proven follower of Jesus becomes a demonstration of the character developing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So, why would we not rejoice in our sufferings?
Columnist David Brooks commented on sufferings: “people do not just heal from sufferings, they come out of it changed.”[1]
Archbishop Charles Chaput has observed, “suffering can bend and break us, but suffering can also break us open to become the person God intends.”[2]
Author Randy Alcorn offers this summary:
“Mountain climbers could save time and energy if they reached the summit in a helicopter, but their ultimate purpose is conquest, not efficiency. Sure, they want to reach a goal, but they desire to do it by testing and deepening their character, discipline, and resolve.
In our spiritual lives, as in our professional lives (and in sports and hobbies), we improve and excel by handling failure and learning from it. Only in cultivating discipline, endurance, and patience do we find satisfaction and reward. And such qualities are most developed through some form of suffering.”[3]
So, when experiencing suffering (in any form), you do not have to like it, nor should you pretend to be happy in the suffering. But you can indeed rejoice, for that very suffering you are enduring represents God’s opportunity to work something new and exciting in your life. And this most certainly represents His best for you. So, yes, rejoice!
Blessings.
READ
Read Romans 5:1-5 and find fresh encouragement within your sufferings.
[1] David Brooks, The Gathering, “The Transcript of David Brooks Talk—The Gathering 2014” (10-2-14)
[2] Janet E Smith (Ed.) and Father Paul Check (Ed.), Living the Truth in Love (Ignatius Press, 2015), p. 216.
[3] Randy Alcorn, “Your Suffering Can Be the Pathway to Greater Godliness” Eternal Perspective Ministries Blog, (8-6-18)
