How Are You?

Read Romans 5:1-11

Half of 2020 has passed already. Perhaps some of you just wanted this year to be over and have a new and better start again next year. The Bible never denied the truth that we will all go through suffering. Even Jesus, in John 16:33, says, “In this world, you will have trouble.”

We will understand the value of pain and suffering if it is in the context of our relationship with God. Counting trials of various kinds as “joy” is not possible outside our relationship with Him. In Romans 5 of AMP version, it says, “but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation].

Testing of our faith through experience produces steadfastness that leads to spiritual maturity and inner peace. As we grow deeper in our relationship with God, the more we can rejoice despite painful situations. We can rejoice because our God, who is in control of everything, is sovereign, powerful, full of mercy, and overflowing with grace. We can trust His promise that all things work for our good because He is absolute from beginning to the end. We can take heart because we have overcome the world through Jesus Christ!

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:35