Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.  Romans 5:3-5

     Do you realize that hope is not a fruit of the Spirit? Hope is something that comes as a result of a process. It takes persevering in suffering and letting God work in our lives to eventually become a person of hope—true hope—hope that rests in God.

     In the book “Looking for Lovely,” writer, Annie F. Downs says that she was hiking one day, listening to a sermon on the secrets of a Spirit-filled life, when the last secret was mentioned: perseverance. She said, “I was learning to persevere, but I had to keep choosing it. Just as it says in Romans 5, I would see that the suffering in my life had made me persevere, my character and strength had grown, and I now had hope to keep going. God was literally changing me from the inside out.”

     Earlier in her Christian walk she had learned that grace was what she needed in order to be set free from the shame and condemnation she lived under, but now God was showing her that she needed to persevere in what she knew. She writes, “Grace and perseverance. To be all grace is to be lazy, but to be all perseverance is to be judgmental. A good balance of grace and perseverance pushes us forward without destroying our spirit. It gives us permission to not be perfect but to strive toward excellence.”

     Earlier in my Christian walk, I was all perseverance and not much grace. I will stick it out, honey, cause that’s what good Germans do—but the grace part? Not so much! God showed me that His grace covers me. My sin, shame, self-hatred are all covered by God’s grace. I can persevere with joy, rather than with grit. Rejoicing in suffering and then persevering with character.

     So basically, these verses say if we stay on the path of rejoicing in our suffering and persevere in that place—no running, no pain avoidance, no shutting down-- our character will grow and ultimately, hope will bloom. The only way you can fully experience the next level is by experiencing some pain. Downs says, “It’s about feeling the pain, letting the sufferings be a part of your life: embrace the Romans 5:3 moments;  process through the Romans 5:4 days; then  live a Romans 5:5 hope-filled life!”  Hope will begin to shine. You will not be ashamed; instead, you will understand to a greater degree the great, lavish, unfailing love of God!

*Where do you need more grace in your life? In what area do you need to persevere?

Precious Lord, Thank You for Your goodness, Your kindness, and Your grace. Help me again to grasp how powerful and how perfect Your love is for me. Help me to persevere. I refuse to be bullied by my fears or paralyzed by the enemy’s threats. Show me how to rejoice in my sufferings so that hope will rise. I trust You with my life. In Jesus’ perfect name I pray Amen.


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