Glory in Suffering!

There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. Romans 5:3‭-‬4 MSG

Before learning about the treasures in today's extract, what are those things which have come before? The foundation of all I enjoy today is faith in Christ. All I have now- justification, sanctification, purification, grace and peace are all made possible in union with Christ. I also read in the verse before the one above that because of my faith in Christ, I can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which will be revealed in due course.

When you weigh these blessings, you wonder just where to fit in today's extract. If I'm looking forward in hope to the glory to be revealed, what is the place of rejoicing in the face of troubles? How do I keep hope alive when everything around me is falling apart? I think today's extract also provides insight. The end result of whatever God allows must be my focus all through my life. This is how it flows: whatever comes, I rejoice. It's not as if there is no pain, but I have learnt that with God, nothing is wasted. I know that the experiences will instill patience, which will in turn strengthen virtue in me. I learn that with his grace, I can weather any storm and not lose sight of the shore. I learn that in God, I am truly safe no matter how fierce the winds and waves are. I also know that God prepares me for greater heights through the valley experiences he brings my way. I haven't seen any man God has used mightily without giving him testimonies of hard times and seasons of total dependence on grace alone. God's treasures are too great to be committed into untested hands.

Can I rejoice in the face of difficult circumstances? Can God count on me to hold on to him, even when everything around is uncertain? What you do in such seasons speaks a lot about your centre of dependence and whether God can commit his plans into your hands. His time of favour is here.