"And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 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….” Romans 5:2-5
"What do you think God is trying to tell me?" One of my dearest friends asked me this during a difficult season in her life. Though I didn't have all the answers, God laid on my heart this truth to share with her that day.
When we face hardships, we sometimes look at them as God's way of correcting us or showing us where we may have missed the mark. It's easy for us to lose faith when we focus on what we think God is saying to us instead of focusing on the hope He's trying to produce within us.
There will be times when we feel like the trials in our lives occur as a result of something we did or didn't do, but we can't lose hope in God's ability to bring us through, no matter the circumstances.
In Romans 5:2, Paul tells us that we can rejoice in our trials, knowing that they produce endurance, strength of character, and hope. Rejoicing doesn't mean we're happy about our circumstances; it means that we choose to believe that because of God's great love for us, He will bring us through. And that kind of hope will never disappoint.
Father there are times when the trials in our lives shake our faith and cause us to doubt Your love for us. Lord, in those moments, help us to put our trust in You and restore our hope in Your Word. Remind us that placing our hope in You will never make us ashamed. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Take Action
Are you facing a trial today? Take a moment and thank God for the strength, courage, and hope He's producing in you. And thank Him for His promise to see you through!