Suffering Builds Character

Romans 5:3-5 – ...we also rejoice in our sufferings

•    Why do we rejoice in our sufferings? Because it is in our sufferings that we see the true nature of what’s in our hearts.  Do we have a “Why are you doing this to me, God?” attitude, or do we have a “What are you trying to teach me, Lord?” attitude?
•    Sufferings – (thlipsis) means trouble, distress, oppression (physical or mental distress), or tribulation (great misery or distress). It can be a big or small issue, and it can come from our own choices as well as being an affect from the choices of others.
•    So, God allows suffering into our lives to show us how we react. How we react, shows us where our heart is, and when we see our true heart, we will see the “work in progress” that God is doing in us.    


because we know that suffering produces perseverance

•    Perseverence – (hypomone) endurance, patience (calm endurance).  The definition of perseverance is: to continue a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.
•    This time of perseverance is a time for us to learn the proper attitudes to the suffering…it is a waiting time, the wilderness time.
 
perseverance [produces] character

•    Character – (dokime) test, proof…the definition means: moral strength.
•    During the time of suffering we will be see the kind of person that is truly inside of ourselves and we will be given the choices to choose righteousness…choose to do the right thing…no matter what.
Our character … who we REALLY are …begins with our thoughts (how we see the certain the circumstances, our perspective on a situation).
o    Our thoughts become  words, our words become actions, our actions become our character, our character becomes our destiny.
     
and character [produces] hope

•    Hope – (elpis) expectation. The definition is: a feeling that what is wanted will happen; desire accompanied by expectation. ‘
•    As we persevere through this hard time, our character changes as we rely on Him. Usually, we’re not sure what to do about the obstacles and sufferings in our lives. That’s when we need to turn to Jesus. God knew ahead of time these sufferings were coming.  It’s not news to Him. So, we turn our eyes to Jesus, and HE is where we get our hope.
•    As God changes our character, our eyes can see more clearly just how this suffering has removed the unhealthy layers of old patterns replaced them with His Righteous ways.  And when hope comes, that light at the end of tunnel gets a little brighter!
     
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

•    When our eyes are on Jesus, who IS our hope, we can be ASSURED that when this suffering has ended, we will NOT be disappointed …nor will we be the same person!
   
    So what’s at the end of this suffering?
   
    Hebrews 10:36 – You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

•    “The will of God” means HIS decision…HIS desire. And we KNOW that His desire for us is GOOD! But it is also in HIS timing. We seldom know how long we will have to persevere.
   
When something disrupts our journey…when we hit the bumps in the road…or when we’re knocked down by the hurts of another…pay attention to what is going on inside of you. Listen to your thoughts. God will show you the way through.

We must see the good in our suffering:
1) It shows us our heart’s condition.
2) It produces perseverance.
3) It builds character.

    And your character is the only thing that you can take with you to the other side!