“And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3-4)
“And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings”
Ugh! Come on!!! Really? Are you kidding me? You can’t be serious!!!
I don’t want to hear that. I want to hear we boast in our comfort, or our safety, or our prosperity. I want to hear how we boast in our God who is able to save us from all this suffering!!!
“Knowing that suffering produces endurance…”
Ok. I didn’t like suffering. You think I’m going to like endurance? That’s like suffering…but longer!!!!!
“…and endurance character…”
Ok. If the only pathway to character is suffering and endurance, I’m okay with a few flaws in character.
“…and character hope.”
Hope. Now we’re talking. That’s what I’m talking about. What our world needs right now more than ever his HOPE!
But that’s just the thing. If you want the hope that God is talking about this is the pathway.
The hope that Bible is talking about is not like “I hope this is the season the Mariners will win the World Series (that is if we start playing baseball). You see, the way most of use hope, it’s wishful thinking. Mariners, World Series? We know that’s not happening!
The hope that the Bible talks about is not like that at all. The Greek word for hope elpis literally means the “expectation of what is sure.” There is no guess work here. This is a sure thing. As long as we’re breathing, we will be paying taxes. See? No guess work. This is going to happen.
Suffering ⇒ Endurance ⇒ Character ⇒ HOPE
This current season…this is not an accident. God is working in you to produce a sure hope that is unshakable!!! God’s got this, and God’s got you!
Praxis: Faith in Action 