Why I Can Rejoice When Trials Come

In review of Romans 5:3 it says, ”We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance” (NLT).

Today’s verse is from Romans 5:1-5, where I learn how Faith brings joy. Since I have been made right in God's sight by faith, I have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ my Lord has done for me. Because of my faith, Christ has brought me into this place of undeserved privilege where I now stand, and I confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. I can rejoice when I run into problems and trials, for I know that they help me develop endurance. And this endurance will help to develop strength of character, and character strengthens my confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For I know how dearly God loves me, because he has given me the Holy Spirit to fill my heart with his love.

Peace with God means that I have been reconciled with him. There is no more hostility between us, no sin blocking my relationship with him. Peace with God is possible only because Jesus paid the price for my sins through his death on the cross.

One on hand I am complete in Christ, on the other hand, I am growing to become like Christ. So at the same time I have the status of a king and the duties of a slave. I feel both the presence of Christ and the pressure of sin. I enjoy the peace that comes from being made right with God, but still face daily problems that often help me grow. If I can remember these two sides of the Christian life, I will not grow discouraged as I face temptations and problems. Instead, I will learn to depend on the power available to me from Christ, who lives in my by the Holy Spirit.

Paul reminds me that as a follower and believer of Christ, I now stand in a place of undeserved privilege. Not only has God declared me not guilty; he has drawn me close to himself. I will experience difficulties that will help me grow. So I rejoice in suffering, not because I like pain or deny its tragedy, but because I know God is using life's difficulties and Satan's attacks to build my character. The problems that I run into will develop my perseverance, which in turn will strengthen my character, deepen my trust in God, and give me greater confidence about the future. I find my patience being tested in some fashion every day. I should learn to thank God for those opportunities to grow, and deal with them in his strength.

This morning I’m reminded of the story of Joseph, whose brothers sold him into slavery but who ended up becoming second-in-command in Egypt. Years after their betrayal, Joseph confronted his brothers and said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Genesis 50:20 NLT).

This is called redemptive suffering, where suffering comes for the benefit of others. It’s what Jesus did for me! When he died on the cross, he wasn’t paying for his sins, because he didn’t have any. He was paying for my sin.

In redemptive suffering, God takes the bitter, and he makes the world better because of what I went through. God says, “It’s not all going to be good in your life, but I can use it all for good and fit it into the plan, even the hurts and the sins of other people, even when you’re an innocent person and you’ve been hurt by others.”

Because God is a good God, he loves to bring good out of bad. Anybody can bring good out of good. Only God brings good out of the bad.

Romans 5:3 says, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance” (NLT). I can be happy even in the middle of pressure and trials and troubles and tribulation. Happiness in life depends on what I know, not what I go through. Two people can go through the same circumstances, and one of them can be happy while the other is devastated. Why? Because it’s what you know that makes a difference.

Bottom Line:

Rejoice with problems come, for they are there to help you develop endurance.

What this means to me:

I can rejoice when I run into problems and trials, for I know that they help me to develop endurance.

In summary, God’s much more interested in my character than my comfort. He wants me to grow more like him while I’m here on Earth because the only thing I’m taking to heaven is me. How does he do it? Through all these problems and trials that I face. I can know in the midst of them that he is developing patient endurance in me, and he will use my suffering for my good and the good of others.

Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day. Therefore, I confess my sin, and I believe that you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I trust you when you say that salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today I’m turning over every part of my life to your management. You have the right to call the shots in my life. Furthermore Jesus, I want to relax in your love. Thank you that I don’t have to earn it or work for it. I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. Father I also ask for your wisdom and guidance today in what I do, how I lead and how I interact with others. In your name I pray. Amen!