The Transformative Power of Suffering

Central Idea:

Suffering, when endured with faithfulness, is the transformative process God uses to build steadfast character and help secure hope in the believer.

1. Suffering Produces Endurance

Romans 5:1–5 ESV

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Question #1:

What is the sequence of spiritual growth mentioned in Romans 5:3-4?

Question #2:

What is the initial action believers are told to take in their sufferings, according to verse 3?

James 1:2–4 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Acts 5:40–41 ESV

and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

2. Endurance Produces Character

Romans 5:4 ESV

and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

Question #3:

Define "endurance" (or "perseverance") as it relates to Christian life.

Endurance is the unwavering constancy and steadfastness in faith, even amidst adversity.

Matthew 24:13 ESV

But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 ESV

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Your pride, your plans, and even your comfort can be a major hindrance to spiritual growth.

You literally need to be strip of these for truth growth and endurance.

I say “Be careful what you pray for”

If you ask for strength, God may give you difficulties to make you strong

Ask for wisdom, you’ll get problems to solve

Ask for courage you may get dangers to overcome

You ask for love, God will give you troubled people to help

This is when you truly know your prayers have been answered.

3. Character Produces Hope

Romans 5:4–5 ESV

and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Question #4

What comfort can Christians draw from Romans 5:3-5 during times of intense personal suffering?

Question #5:

What is the nature of the "hope" described in Romans 5:4-5? Is it a wish or a certainty?

Hebrews 6:19 ESV

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,

Hebrews 12:3 ESV

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.