Devotional: A Purpose for Suffering #11

Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

The Apostle Paul is amazingly positive about his trials. This is a man who in his own words was,

Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. (2 Corinthians 11:24-27)

Can you imagine saying what he says in our verse for today about your trials? It takes a great deal of spiritual maturity to be able to say that.

Paul is basically giving thanks for his trials. Why? Because it is in trials that he learned patience. Have you ever thought about the fact that you can never learn patience unless you experience difficulties of some sort? Patience is a godly character trait that we all need to develop, but it can't happen outside of difficult circumstances.

Paul knew that learning patience means you have learned to persevere. This is what is meant by the word experience. Life's experiences teach us that "this too shall pass" and we can persevere with patience. Having this experience under our belts, helps us to look at how God has been faithful to bring us through other difficulties in the past and it gives us hope for the future, knowing He will be faithful to help us persevere through our present trials.

We don't have to be ashamed (disappointed) of the hope we have in Christ because He has given us His love by the Holy Spirit which He has given us.

Are you learning patience today? Then you must be dealing with some trials in your life. Don't fight against the winds of adversity. Turn your sails toward the wind and let it propel you toward learning patience, perseverance and hope. God is faithful. He will bring you through it and He will make you a better person because of it if you don't fight against the winds that blow against you.