When we’re facing problems in our lives, we can sometimes end up feeling despondent, bitter and like giving up on our faith. But Paul says: ‘We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know…they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope…And this hope will not lead to disappointment’ (vv. 3-5 NLT). This is a pretty amazing list of benefits God provides us when we face problems. It can be hard to remember these benefits when we’re struggling, and even harder to rejoice in our problems and trials. But when we view our problems as ways for us to grow, learn and become more like Christ, then it’s easier to rejoice. According to the verse in Romans, the three things we’ll gain from our times of troubles are endurance, character and hope. Endurance means we’ll develop a commitment to draw on His grace and keep moving forward regardless of circumstances. Our strength of character will develop because we’ll learn how to maintain integrity through what we’re facing. And we’ll also be able to confidently hope that whatever it takes, ultimately we’ll make it. Plus, we can hold onto the fact that ‘this hope will not lead to disappointment.’ The Bible also says: ‘the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything’ (James 1:3-4 NIV). When we’re struggling with what we’re going through, and we can’t see or understand how it can grow us, we need to keep pushing through, keep persevering, until we reach that victory.
