Fruitful Suffering

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.”

Romans 5:3

“...but we also rejoice in our sufferings...”

If the words from that verse (Romans 5:3) ended there we might be tempted to say: “Oh, really Paul? I certainly don’t rejoice in my sufferings!”

But it doesn’t end there.

Paul speaks of what should be the end result of that suffering.

It can bear fruit in our lives.

Suffering produces perseverance.

Perseverance produces character.

Character produces hope and hope does not disappoint.

So suffering has a purpose.

Not necessarily the suffering we endure because of our own ignorance or disobedient behavior but that suffering that comes into all people’s lives at one time or another.

Someone has said that you “...shouldn’t waste your trials.”

But our scripture today is reminding us not to waste our suffering.

We do not waste it when, through that suffering we persevere allowing character built in us to give us hope.

A hope that does not disappoint.

That is fruitful suffering!