Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace
in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:1-4
I love this passage in Romans.
In Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts, she writes: “It is suffering that has the realest possibility to bear down and deliver grace. And grace that chooses to bear the cross of suffering overcomes that suffering.” (page 97)
When I recognize and focus on the fact that He is involved in ALL of my life…ALL of the circumstances…ALL the good…ALL the not so good…it is THEN that I can welcome ALL circumstances and ALL things into my life.
Lord, help me to remember that you You are in control of ALL things. Help me to remember that even when things are foggy, when I struggle to see your face, you are there to hold my hand and walk with me…or to pick me up and carry me. Thank you, Lord.
I hope you have great day, that your sufferings are small and your peace is great!
Sometimes those sufferings seem overwhelming. That is when we must pray hard and cling to the promises of our Saviour. Great post Mary!
We are reading this book in my Monday night Bible study group…what a beautiful passage.
Thank you, my friend!
~a
Okay, I get that suffering works great things in our souls.(You here that, Lord…I get it!) Having said that, I am glad there is no suffering in heaven because they seem endless here. Wishing that your sufferings are small and joy is great too, Mary 🙂