Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 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 5:1-5 (ESV)
We rejoice in suffering! Who is the Apostle Paul trying to kid! Suffering is horrible in every way, how can I possibly rejoice in my suffering! And “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him”(Romans 8:28), what’s that all about, how can living constantly with suicidal thoughts be for my good! Surely Paul was kidding! And even worse “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb”(Psalm 139:13). For he chose us in him before the creation of the world …..(Ephesians 1:4). So, God created me knowing just how much I was going to suffer, what a vicious swine! I have even heard people say we were created to suffer.
Please, please hear me when I say “no, no, no, NO” we were NOT created to suffer we were created to Love God and Love our Neighbour (Matthew 22:37-38). Please read the context of all of the passages I have quoted so far, they are all taken from contexts of how much God loves us. Otherwise that would make God a very cruel god. The great modern teacher , Terry Virgo, has just posted to Facebook:
“Satan will accuse you because he hates you & wants to destroy you. God will correct you because he delights in you & aims to transform you”
My parents died 4 years ago, I have two failed marriages behind me, I have a difficult relationship with my daughters and I have not met my 4 year old grand daughter. A good friend of mine has just returned to Australia, another one passed away very unexpectedly last night , he was in his mid 50’s and I already miss him. I could go on and on about my misfortunes. But the upshot is I don’t really feel like rejoicing.
But Paul is right “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 given to us. God, in GREAT love, is training us for eternity, So in this earthly life we HOPE and a hope that we will be sat with Jesus for all eternity. A hope that WILL NOT disappoint us. We who believe are GUARANTEED this FREE gift (John 3:16)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-17
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death” or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’At the age of 60, the troubles of this world do not seem light or momentary, what is 60 years compared to to all of eternity! But a drop in the ocean, a TEMPORARY exorbitance. A vast majority of our existence will be eternal and in the heavenlies. So why look to the temporary, instead look to the eternal, where “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev 21:4) Fix you eyes on the eternal.
‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-20
Yes fix you eyes on the eternal. use this life to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.and to love your neighbour as yourself. Though you may be hated and thought a fool and may even have murderous thoughts projected at you. BUILD TREASURE IN THE ETERNAL, look to eternity, run this temporary race well, run to win and receive you eternal prize.
YES EVEN REJOICE IN YOUR SUFFERING.
