Perseverance

CHRISTIAN LIVING TODAY

Romans 5:3-5 is a great passage, but I want to focus on the third verse, “… but we rejoice (feel and express tremendous joy) knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance.”

Of course, it is never good to lift any Bible verse out of context, so please take a minute to read all the verses referenced above. Then, think with me about the fact tribulation brings perseverance, and knowing that produces tremendous joy.

Don’t quit reading now, this is a true statement — just one that requires a bit more thought.

How would you describe tribulation in your life? What trials or misfortunes have you faced that produced perseverance and joy?

Maybe you think this is merely a way to learn patience. Likely you have heard “never pray for patience,” for this is almost inviting a problem.

In the overall passage, we trust God’s great grace and His process. Scripture says He uses each situation to produce something good, and in this verse, the benefit gained from tribulation is perseverance.

That’s a good character trait: being a person who does not easily give up when suffering, or someone who hesitates to retaliate.

Cheerfulness is a byproduct of not allowing circumstances to define our response or hope. This is exactly what this passage says.

Because of the hope to come — because of the great outcomes for our character — we can be joyful with the process. Growth is demanding.

I love sitting and watching young children or babies persevere — they just keep on trying. They take a hesitant step or two, fall, but get back up with the biggest smile and a sense of victory. Of course, all babies get frustrated and give up, but sometime later you see them trying again.

They face obstacles, hindrances, blocked passages, gates and restraints, but again they try once more.

Once we are born again, we are to grow. Physically, growth comes through the tension of resistance — through perseverance. Spiritually, we are to grow through adversity with perseverance toward joy.

Keep on keeping on. Face the obstacles with God’s perspective, they are character builders. Perseverance is a good trait that sustains us through many life events. For the long haul.

Trusting God is good, even when or if we fail to see the good. We will find His sunshine behind every cloudy sky. Until next week, Anita

Onarecker, an Elgin resident, author of “Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge” and minister to women and adults, earned a Master of Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2007.