Is there a secret recipe to become a person of character? Well, there is a recipe for it, but it’s not a secret….this recipe is actually provided to every one of us, and it promises to build character and give us a hope like we've never known:
Romans 5:3-4
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
There it is – the recipe for character (and hope)! Unfortunately, it’s not easy… notice the very first step in this recipe: “…glory in tribulations…”
Did you get that? GLORY in tribulations. Checking out the dictionary, when glory is used as a verb it means to ‘rejoice in’ or ‘feel a triumphant joy in’. So step 1 is to feel triumphant joy when I am going through severe trials, affliction, and suffering…That doesn't sound too easy, huh?
But hold on – what exactly is being said here? This is a promise that if I am suffering for my faith - and if I recognize that by suffering for my faith in Christ that I’m sharing in His sufferings – then I should rejoice that I’m found worthy to suffer for him. It does not mean that I should enjoy suffering, but that I should suffer in joy.
Well that was painful…what’s the next step of the recipe? Simply that accepting the trials and suffering in joy for our faith will produce perseverance. As we accept it and rejoice in it, we both persevere in the moment, and develop perseverance for the future.
And as we persevere, we develop character. If you meet a person of true character, you can be sure that they have persevered through many trials in their life. Those who always give in and give up will not and can not develop into people of character.
Do you want to be a person of character? Do you want hope? Persevere through suffering.
Persevere! Through trials and tribulations because of your faith in Christ!
Persevere, dear one! When physical or emotional suffering comes!
Persevere! As addictions try and steal the joy of living a Spirit-led life!
Persevere, I say! For you are loved with an Everlasting Love!
Persevere! For He has already won the Victory over death and the grave!
Exactly how does suffering build character? Only through perseverance and accepting, yes even rejoicing in, your suffering...
Yes, persevere, and you might just find that you have become that person of character - and then you will have hope like you've never known!
And what comes when we develop the hope that is promised through becoming a person of character? The amazing promise of our hearts being filled with the love of God, as the very next verse in Romans chapter 5 tells us!
Romans 5:5
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.