All the Strength

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)

Wait, what? Paul and his buddies boasted in their suffering? They thought affliction was a good thing?

Yes and no. It wasn’t that the early Christians got excited about suffering. That would be weird. But they learned that suffering was part of their sanctification—which is a big churchy word that just means growing closer to Jesus. And growing closer to Jesus was their number one purpose in life, along with helping other people know Jesus and grow closer to Him, too.

And that’s what was happening. Telling people about Jesus wasn’t easy. Paul had a long list of ways he’d suffered as he preached the gospel (2 Corinthians 11:23-30). But Paul could brag about suffering because the suffering, the weaknesses he constantly experienced, proved God’s power! There were plenty of days when praising God took all the strength Paul had and much more. So it taught him to lean more on Jesus than on himself because it’s in Jesus that real strength is found.

Suffering helped Paul learn to endure, and enduring tough times builds character, and where there is character, there is hope. Do you see it? You’re not just surviving in suffering; you’re growing in Christ. Your hard-fought, heartfelt, been-through-hell hallelujahs give hope—and when people become hopeful, the Holy Spirit works.

The road is hard. It’s a plain fact. But it’s also shaping you. And it’s not just you that it’s shaping—it’s shaping everyone who gets to see what’s happening in you.

• When have you felt weak and unable to face suffering in your own strength? Did you lean on Jesus in that situation? What happened?
• Read verse 5 again. Sometimes, we put our hope in someone or something that does disappoint us—and we’re tempted to blame God. What is the difference between hope in an earthly circumstance or another person and hope in Jesus?
• Thank God for pouring His love out in your heart through the Holy Spirit so you have the strength you need to face suffering in a way that grows character in you and points others to Jesus. Confess the temporary things you’ve placed your hope in instead of Him. Ask Him to draw you closer as you praise Him through every circumstance.