Rejoice in Sufferings

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5 NKJV)

Rejoice in sufferings is the will of God, isn’t it? How can we rejoice in the sufferings and tribulations? If we cannot, then the scripture would not have said so. By the mercy and grace of God, we received Jesus as Lord and Savior through the gift of faith in Christ. God clothed us with the righteousness, blotting out all the stains and traces of sin once for all through the purification of the blood of Christ. We are no longer the enemies of God but the friends of Him, so we have peace with God. Since we have peace with God we have access to the throne of grace with confidence and boldness in Christ. So, we rejoice in the hope of God. Jesus invites all people who thirst come and drink out of rivers of living water without cost.

Not only so, we also rejoice in the sufferings and difficulties in our lives. Life in Christ is not an easygoing picnic, but a fierce spiritual battle. Sufferings are not pleasurable at all. Everyone knows it. But the outcome of the sufferings and difficulties is profitable, producing the fruits of perseverance, character, and hope. Perseverance is reliability, character, maturity, and hope, the hope of eternal salvation. “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.” (Hebrews 12:6-8 NKJV)

The hope of eternal salvation does not put us into shame because the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Behind all the tribulations and sorrows there is the love of God poured out in our hearts by the Spirit who was given to us. That’s the reason we can rejoice in our sufferings and trials. Jesus teaches His disciples in the Sermon on Mount to rejoice exceedingly when persecuted. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12 NKJV)