July 12
Suffering
Produces Hope
Romans 5:3-5
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Daily Steps
This passage provides the new believer with the definitive, beautiful chain reaction of trials: suffering produces hope, which is secured by the love of God. This process transforms pain into the greatest spiritual assurance.
The peace in this process is found in the powerful spiritual sequence:
The Start of the Sequence (Suffering and Perseverance): We are instructed to "glory in our sufferings"—a choice echoing the command to "consider it pure joy" (Day 192). This is because we know the pain produces perseverance (endurance and steadfastness).
The Middle Steps (Perseverance and Character): Endurance is not the final product; it must be allowed to finish its work, producing tried and tested character (spiritual maturity). This established character is the evidence that the faith is real and reliable.
The Final Product (Character and Hope): This godly character ultimately produces hope—the unshakable certainty of our future with God (Day 175). This is a hope that does not put us to shame because it is confirmed by the Holy Spirit pouring God's love into our hearts. This settled assurance eliminates anxiety and secures deep peace.
Your peace in suffering is secured by divine mathematics. Trust the sequence: every suffering you face is designed to be converted into perseverance, which leads to character, which culminates in hope—your final, powerful peace.
Reflective Question
If you look at a past difficulty, can you see how it produced perseverance in you? How can you specifically focus on the need for new character today to motivate yourself to not give up on the suffering you are currently facing?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my desire to skip the painful steps of Your refinement process. I pray for the faith to glory in my sufferings, trusting the sequence You have designed.
Work in me today to produce perseverance, solidify my character, and fill me with hope that does not disappoint. Secure my peace in the reality of Your love poured out by the Holy Spirit. Amen.
