The Upside Of The Downside Of Life Romans 5:3-5 - BLOGGING THE BIBLE- JournalHome.com

7/18/2010 - The Upside Of The Downside Of Life Romans 5:3-5

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The Upside Of The Downside Of Life

REFERENCE: Romans 5:3-5 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Observation: We all hate hard times. We hate facing difficulties and set backs. Paul tells us that we can rejoice when we face these kinds of circumstances. Why? They produce something good in us. They teach us endurance and endurance produces a stronger character inside of us.

What kind of person do we instinctively trust? We trust those who have been through tough times and have persevered in the midst of them. We sense that they are not going to easily change on us or give up on us. We sense that they are people of substance.
We can be that kind of trustworthy person but only if we are willing to endure through hard times. It´s worth it! It may not, in the middle of it, feel like it, but it is worth it.

Application/Confession: I can see this issue from both sides. I see how hard times have tempered and matured me as a person. I am also currently facing less severe, but trials none the less. I really want to be faithful and grow that next measure that God has for me. He is teaching me about faith and I want to completely learn the lessons.

PRAYER: Thank You for hard times. They are good for me. Even though I hate them, I will rejoice in them because of what You are working in me. Do Your work (and quickly, if You can) through the trials I am facing.

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