How many times have you gone through difficulties, trials, and sufferings and thought that God doesn’t love you or even now that He doesn’t love you because of the troubles you are in? How often have you or do you view troubles as a “ sign” of His displeasure towards you?

Consider with me the Truth of Romans 5:3-5 that Paul shared with believers regarding DEVELOPING GODLY PERSPECTIVE in Suffering…

“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”-( Romans 5:3-5)

IS THERE ANY PURPOSE IN SUFFERING?

A Resounding “yes”

For the child of God from Romans 5:3-5 says there is and we can “Know” and God WANTS US TO KNOW!

Romans 5:3-5 gives us reason from God’s PERSPECTIVE for us!

We suffer, and go through many troubles, trials, and great pressures, and God DEVELOPS PERSEVERANCE in us, and in turn, they shape our CHARACTER and HOPE, which is the certainty of future good is produced in us, our trusting God grows amidst trials, troubles, suffering, tribulations. God has PURPOSE to produce spiritual depth and maturity in us and one PROCESS He chooses to use is troubles! Not even your troubles and sufferings are wasted in God’s care and love for you.

I had to remind myself and speak this truth to myself this morning.. and choose to delight in His Purposes and Process, because I know what He says and wants me to “KNOW” and remember from His Word from Romans 5:3-4.

1) His PURPOSE– To bring about Perseverance- Character- Hope.

2) His PROCESS– through Troubles,

3) PERSPECTIVE– Look at your troubles through the lens of His Word otherwise you and I will come out with the wrong conclusion and miss God’s revealed PERSPECTIVE through His Word, and live your life knowingly and accordingly! It will work out for good, and His honor!-.

THE ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE FOR YOU;

One of the ministries the Holy Spirit to us is to make sure we know that God loves us, unreservedly and without end! As one writer says it is like parched ground that is soaked by rain. How refreshing and comforting and liberating, enthralling, humbling, and wonderful is the thought, the truth that God Almighty, in need of nothing or no one outside of Himself, Creator and sustainer of Heaven and earth…. loves you! Paul assures the believers of this truth- fact- in Romans 5:5 “…because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” He writes this to those who are suffering so that they can “ know” the word means to be “ fully aware” that in the midst of suffering it is not a case of God abandoning them, which He never will, can never do as He has promised not to ( Read Hebrews 13:5)- and He cannot break His promise as He is not a liar but truthful! Know GOD LOVES YOU! Do not allow suffering, tribulations, and great pressures of life to blind you or cause you to doubt His Love! Let His Word assure you – you are Divinely loved and Romans 5:2 says you “stand“ in Divine Favour!

Sufferings, and tribulations, are not “evidence” of God not loving you! But know that not even suffering, trials, and troubles can separate you from the Love of God for you “In Christ.”- “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”-(Rom 8:3,39}.

And know that God in His Sovereign love for you will use even your suffering, and trials to bring about spiritual good for you. These trials will work FOR you not against you. Note in Romans 5:3-5 what those “ Good” things are … perseverance- proven character- hope-assurance that God Loves you! Write them down in your Bible to remind yourself and to be able to share and help others of what God says – His PERSPECTIVE- His PURPOSE- His PROCESS in developing spiritual maturity! Under as it were “God’s Gymnasium!”

  • The Love Of God Does Not Exclude The Child Of God From Suffering!

So, From Romans 5:3-5..you will need to remind yourself in times of difficulties these assuring truths, facts…

* KNOW, BE AWARE OF THE PURPOSE, PROCESS, AND PERSPECTIVE OF YOUR SUFFERING …

* BE Able to open Romans 5:3-5 to show to another believer, and follower of our LORD Jesus Christ what He says…to encourage them amidst their pain. God is at work… for your “good” in spiritually developing you, conforming you to the image of Christ, in the way you think- through the Lens of Scripture, the way you behave accordingly.

Your troubles will not be wasted for GOD will not only develop you but display Himself to and through you to HELP OTHERS -( Read 2 Cor 1:4)

  • We all have “perspective” but not always God’s perspective in our pain.

Thankful to Him we can have it as we renew our minds according to His Word. And Romans 5:3-5 is part of the process of DEVELOPING GODLY PERSPECTIVE in our pain. And not just for ourselves but to be able to HELP OTHERS in their pain so that they can see something of God’s Perspective in their pain! Be encouraged…

Thanking Him for His Word and Spirit this morning. May He encourage you…

God bless

Aidan