And we b boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we c also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And 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.
Thoughts: The hope of glory is our hope in God's glory that he gives over to us. Such hope helps us to put our sufferings in perspective. Our sufferings here do not ruin our life, but they may even sharpen our life. Sufferings sharpen our character which sharpens our hope. This life is not bad- and the sufferings we have here are not bad in and of themselves. If our God is comfort- then we will always be disappointed in this life. But our God calls us beyond the valleys of the shadow and uses these valleys to mold us and shape us for eternity. Each time we suffer it is a reminder that this life is not our goal and this world is not our home. Each time we suffer is a remind that believers still have hope.
Christians are called to this- as Jesus was called. He suffered and persevered. But God raised Him up from the sufferings of the cross and death itself.
It is hard to watch people suffer. Suffering is real. I have watched too many suffer through pain, through divorce, through financial crises, through rejection or lack of human love. Jesus came in part to let us know that He understands suffering. He had so little, was rejected by His own people and leaders, but He persevered. But the end of our comfort is not the end of our hope. In fact, if you combine suffering with faith- it enhances our longing for our glory and our hope.
Prayer: Lord, let the light of your hope shine through me.
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