“…We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…” (Romans 5:3-4)
When I experience difficulties I admit I don’t always rejoice in them. However, I do see how suffering has built up my endurance because I can deal with a lot more challenges today; and I can usually do so with maturity, wisdom, and patience; instead of immaturity, self-pity, and impatience. It’s the unappealing times in life that develop our most appealing character traits. But how in the world does “character” produce “hope?” The below explanation from The Christian Worldview Journal is fantastic:
“Character that has been shaped by God through suffering has amazing abilities that non-character simply doesn’t. It’s capable of seeing beyond circumstances. It knows that God is faithful. It embraces the truth of the Gospel that if God sent His Son, He spares nothing for the good of His children. All this produces hope, that is, the confidence that God delivers on His promises. The stronger the character, the greater the hope…” Suffering, Endurance and Character; The Christian Worldview Journal.
Learning to trust God is a character trait that produces hope as we learn to endure through trials. Trust comes from the knowledge that God doesn’t waste our difficulties. He’s used mine to teach me valuable lessons that have improved my life and allowed me to help other people. Sorrow has intensified my compassion for those who are suffering and wisdom has given me hope that my pain is not in vain; nor are any of life’s challenges. There’s a plan and a purpose in all of it if we are willing to believe, endure, trust, and hope.
“…and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)
- When I reflect on my trials and difficulties, do I see how God has worked through them?
- Do I see any areas in my life where these trails have strengthened my character and increased my hope?
Genuine Life with Jodie Stevens 
Was just looking for a discussion on Romans 5, particularly the part on character and hope since I thought it was interesting. Really loved your post, made sense with a lot of what I’ve experiencing lately!
Thank you for writing this!
Basant She
Thank you so much, and thanks for reading! Blessings, Jodie
Jodie, thank you for sharing this. I was greatly encouraged in reading your post, especially the excerpt from the Christian Worldview Journal.
Hi Rachel, I’m so glad. Thank you so much for reading and I’m thrilled it was encouraging to you!
HI Jodie, Awesome stuff! I took your blog and put it in the form of a prayer for my benefit but maybe it will bless someone else:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Hear our prayer in Jesus name,
Your Word says “…We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…” (Romans 5:3-4)
When we experience difficulties, rejoicing in them and embracing them is absolutely crucial. As we rejoice in our sufferings it will build up our endurance and we will be able deal with a lot more challenges. With this forged character we will be able to face even great suffering with maturity, wisdom, joy and patience instead of immaturity, self-pity, depression, and impatience. We must realize that in these unappealing times in our life’s God will develop the most appealing character traits. Thank You for shaping us into your image.
Thank you that our character is shaped by You God through suffering and suffering has amazing abilities to shape our character if it is embraced by us and not avoided. As that character is forged in us by God through suffering, we will be capable of seeing beyond circumstances. We will know at the core of our soul that God is faithful. We will embrace the truth of the Gospel that if God sent His Son, He spares nothing for the good of His children. All this produces hope, that is confidence that God delivers on His promises. As our character grow stronger, the greater our hope will be. Thank You Lord will bring us to completion in this and in all things.
Thank You Father that learning to trust You is a character trait that produces hope as we learn to endure through trials. Trusting in You Jesus comes from the knowledge that You Lord don’t waste our difficulties. If we let You mold our character and not resist, You will change us for the better and we will have a heart that loves to help and encourage others. The sorrows we go through will produce in us a compassion for those who are suffering. May we always remember that You Father will never let our pain be in vain. May we see suffering as an opportunity and not an obstacle. May we realize that all of suffering throughout our lives has drawn us closer to the grand prize that is knowing You Father. Thank You Father that Your plans and purposes will undoubtfully will be accomplished if we are willing to believe, endure, trust, and hope.
We ask humbly that we be filled with Your grace and enablement through this process and through all of our lives.
We must not forget that we must have a deep relationship with You to become whole. This includes:
1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
May we daily or even at times hourly tell You our burdens with emotion and then give these burdens to You and ask You to take them from us. Thank You Father that you love to take our burdens. You truly are a loving Father just like in the parable of the prodigal son. Being very rooted in Your love for us is absolutely crucial in all of our lives. Satan loves to whisper lies such as “The reason you are suffering is you are just blowing it” or “God is just holding out on you”. The accuser will say anything to put doubts in our minds relating to God’s love for us. Help us Lord to resist the enemy each time.
We have a choice of putting our faith in our feelings or in You Lord. If we choose feelings, we will be constantly buffeted like waves by the wind. But if our faith is in You Jesus and Your word, we will established on the Rock and the winds will not knock us off course. Please fill us with Your wisdom Lord as we roll over and over in our minds your truths from the Bible. Thank You Lord that over time our feelings will come more in line with the truth as rooted in Your Word.
Thank You Father You know we are dust. May we realize that we are dust and our dependence should be on You and not ourselves. Father this truth is crucial and we pray You make it crystal clear to us.
Throughout this suffering we will be tempted leave the narrow path and find the wider path. Please give us the wisdom we need to stay on the narrow path. Thank You that true security is based on what is eternal and cannot be taken away.
Thank You that will never give us more than we can bear with You. Thank You for the times and seasons of refreshing. You know what we need more than we do.
“…and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)
In Jesus name,
Amen
Adapted from the article:
https://genuinelifeblog.com/2016/04/14/how-does-character-produce-hope/amp/
Hi there, this is such a beautiful prayer and I’m honored that you used my blog and adapted it. Do you mind if I post it on my blog and Facebook?
I just prayed it this morning 🙂
Great Post. Thanks for sharing!!