| “…but we also glory in our sufferings…” |
| —Romans 5:3 |
What a revolutionary idea: to glory in our sufferings. Normally, that’s a concept that seems quite abstract to most people. Why? Because most people only have some minor annoyances in their lives. Fortunately, they seldom experience something that rises to the level of genuine suffering. At least that’s what I used to think.
In my dotage, I have come to understand that far more people than I ever thought possible have something, or many things, in their lives that produces suffering. In a recent Podcast, Dr. David R. Mains made the statement to pastors that every person a minister sees sitting in the congregation likely has some quite serious issue with which that person is currently dealing. I was taken aback by David’s statement until I started to think about my fellow churchgoers. David is right.
How we handle our suffering becomes a serious issue of spiritual formation. It’s one of those situations that creates quite a challenge. Fortunately, the Apostle Paul offered some very wise advice, as recorded in Romans 5:3-4:
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
From a spiritual perspective, there is always a purpose to suffering. We can allow the Holy Spirit to use our suffering to produce, in the depth of our beings, qualities that will serve us quite well as ambassadors for Christ and His Kingdom.
As we begin this new day, let’s allow God to transform our suffering into elements of our spiritual formation that will benefit His Kingdom. It may be hard for us to do this. But, the reward is magnificent. And, if we don’t presently have suffering of our own with which we must deal, let’s especially open our hearts to those who do.
Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, November 9, 2016
