“More than that, 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, becuase God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5 ESV)
Most of us live in the idea that suffering is to be avoided. In fact, we avoid most of the things that Jesus says we would be blessed for: being poor in spirit, mourning, being meek, being persecuted. We’d rather skip those. But here Paul says we should rejoice in our sufferings. Not just out of duty or obedience, but because they actually have value. They produce hope. I don’t know that living a life avoiding pain produces anything but fear.
Martin Luther said, “He who has faith indeed has all the excellent things but in a hidden way. Through tribulation they are tried and purified to the highest degree. Whatever tribulation finds in us, it develops more fully. If anyone is carnal, weak, blind, wicked, irascible, haughty, tribulation will make him more so. On the other hand, if one is spiritual, strong, wise, pious, gentle, and humble, he will become more so. Tribulation does not make people impatient, but proves that they are impatient.”
If I am strong, and suffering makes me more so, then it is strengthening me through building endurance. By continuing on, I develop character. And by seeing how God is succeeding through me and shaping me, I receive hope. If I am weak, and suffering reveals that, then hopefully I will turn to God. I will learn to lean on His strength, to hold on with endurance. I develop the character of dependence. And in finding that I have leaned on Him and He has never let me go, I find hope.
Acts 14:22 says, “…through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” We MUST. There is no other way. This is where our path lies. “Those are ignorant, childish, and indeed hypocritical who outwardly venerate the relics of the Holy Cross, yet flee and detest tribulation and affliction,” (Luther).
But I think we miss that these comments on suffering follow verse 1: “…we have peace with God….” Every bit of our suffering is within the peace with God. It is not separate. We do not hope for resolution someday. In the midst of our suffering, we have peace with God. We are His, and He is in complete control. Which means that somehow this path of suffering is for our good, even for our best. It is the path of peace.
Thoughts?
Todd
Well done Todd. I’ll just share some quick thoughts, but who
knows, I may come back tomorrow with more words.
This reminded me of the little book: “Hinds Feet of High
Places”, which talks of walking with the companions of Suffering and Sorrow and
how valuable these companions are.
The first part of your blog speaks to the reality that we
can’t hide who we really are forever; when pressure or tribulation come our way
our real selves will be revealed. This
is one very good reason to not marry someone you haven’t known for a long time.
Blessings, Tess
Good Morning, Sir (and any who may read here);
Having been a saved child of God since 1989, but woefully dormant until fairly recently, I have only just been “cured of my deafness” as concerns the newer praise music that is out there. Which is how I have come to know who Todd Agnew is . “Grace Like Rain” and “A New Hallelujah” (M.W. Smith) are two example of songs that at one time would make me suffer (lol, I am a 55 yr old, somewhat strange old rocker, but liked traditional hymns).
Okay, back to why I wanted to comment. I agree with your blog post of yesterday. I WILL say that I have no shame in working to avoid suffering, pain, discomfort in this life. Not only is my mortal body indisposed to operate well under such, but also the mind. Now, I believe the spirit is yet another entity from mind or body. While we renew our mind, it is through His Holy Spirit in OUR spirit which works this renewal of the mind. It shall follow, given our diligence, that the body will be made TO follow.
Even now, as when before I accepted Christ as my Savior, I had a very well imbedded work ethic. I believed that hard work, even toil unto excruciating physical pain was what “made the man”. I hung my very being on that. Sans a college education, I worked that into a success in my avocation that no degree would have far surpassed. It just took me a LOT longer to make it happen. I had to build that character with hard, miserable toil. I learned to “take the bitter with the sweet” and have a good attitude through either.
I believe that as God’s child and His servant, He wants me happy, without pain or suffering. But He has foretold that this life on earth will not be without pain, suffering, and in the case of His children, suffering of persecution for His name’s sake. In all that, I believe truly as Paul wrote, we are to rejoice in that. Whether it is from persecution in His name, or from things we suffer from secular activities. We must not whine and cry, shirk from accepting the hardships we bring upon ourselves. We must OWN the responsibility of our actions. We have an advocate in Christ Jesus. He washed and washes us from sin, empowers us with the Comforter to endure all until that day we shall meet Him in the air. The knowledge of that transcends any piddling pain this life can thrust upon us (or it should).
When we as Christians are suffering, and the lost of the world sees it (and they will, if they have anything to do with it), we must not appear beaten down. If we appear as victorious over it, IN THE MIDST of it, glorifying God in it (which we are, and do) we can hardly do more to “Point to Him”.
Please know, that I write as of what I believe. As God reveals unto me, His perfect truth, many things take on new and exciting form. I pray that He would bless you, Mr. Agnew, this day and any who would read this. If any read this that are yet without Christ, or unsure, I pray they would seek God and His perfect truth. If only to do that, He will be sure to reveal Himself.
Jerry
Wow, Todd, I really love this post! I relate so much to what you said: “I develop the character of dependence. And in finding that I have leaned on Him and He has never let me go, I find hope.” Yes!
I’ll have to admit I don’t like pain of any kind. Yet it seems to be something I live with every day. Some of my suffering is a consequence of poor decisions decades ago, but you’re so right–in the midst of all suffering there is peace because God is there, not to shame or condemn, but to encourage and renew.
We cannot choose, but I wonder . . . would I choose to be pain-free or peace-full?
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