S U F F E R I N G

Romans 5:3

Somewhere in the course of every season, suffering and pain come along to meet us.  Whether it's in the form of a losing streak, an injury, academic challenges or family tragedy, suffering is inevitable.  What makes the difference in people is how one reacts to suffering. 

In Paul's letter to his friends in Rome, at chapter 5 and verse 3, he writes, "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."

If our lives are without suffering, we just skate along and remain unprepared for life's big crises to come.  Paul says that suffering produces perseverance.  The small aches and pains of life prepare us for dealing with the big hurts and teach us how to press through them in pursuit of excellence.
  Let's let suffering produce in us the desired result... perseverance.  When we're possessed of that great quality, we can press through any difficulty and come out the other side as victors.

Bible Reading Plan:
John 5:31-47
I Peter 2:9-17
Song of Solomon 2
Jeremiah 47-48