Suffering and Hope

We are doing a unit in our homeschool on the fruit of the Spirit.  One of the passages we cross-referenced this week was Romans 5:3-5, which reads in the 2010 NIV as:
³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope.⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 

While the context of our study may have been the fruit of the spirit, I could not stop thinking about the order of attributes listed in verses 3-4.  Do these verses imply that hope cannot be obtained without first enduring suffering?   Webster's Dictionary defines hope as:  A desire of some good, accompanied with an expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable; an expectation of something which is thought to be desirable; confidence; pleasing expectancy.[Websters] 


Does a person who has lived a life without suffering even understand what "good" is so as to desire it?  Does this person appreciate the good he/she already possesses?   Is a person who has not suffered so self-sufficient as to feel no need for God at all?  Does there even exist such a person who has reached maturity without having suffered?

The Bible teaches that those who follow Christ, our suffering Servant, will suffer for a little while.
1 Peter 5:9-10 (New International Version, ©2010)
⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
 ¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

The Bible also teaches that those who continually reject Christ will suffer for all eternity.  (Romans 2:5, Revelation 20: 7-14, Malachi 4:1, Hebrews 10:26-27)

So, we will all suffer eventually, some much more than others, but God does promise to work suffering for the good of those who love Him and are called by Him according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).   Suffering draws us closer to Christ. It teaches us what is good, holy, and true.  It gives us a hunger for God and an appreciation for all His blessings.  Suffering develops perseverance which produces character which produces hope.

One of my dearest friends has suffered about as much as anyone else I know, yet her life is abundant!  Joy overflows from her heart.  She has persevered and she has great hope.  She walks with the Lord at a level of intimacy that simply cannot be achieved without having suffered.

If more suffering is required for me to know the Lord more intimately, do I desire that type of relationship enough to continually carry His cross and to share in His sufferings?

My head and heart know that the rewards far exceed the suffering required. 

Romans 8:17
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

 2 Corinthians 1:5
For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.

Why, then, does it hurt so much to watch others suffer?

Why, then, do I grumble and complain when it's my turn to suffer?  (Philippians 2:14)

If "darkness" is defined as "the absence of light", then we cannot fully appreciate the meaning of darkness until we have experienced light.  Because of Christ's suffering, believers are promised eternal life in Heaven where there is always light and where suffering is absent.  So, we cannot fully hope for Heaven until we have experienced darkness and suffering.

I never really thought much about the resurrection body described in 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 until my physical body began suffering all sorts of painful injuries.  During those times of great pain, I yearn for my resurrection body, not in a morbid sense, but in a hopeful appreciation for one of God's many promises to His children.

So, my personal conviction is that Romans 5:3-5 does imply that suffering is necessary before hope can be fully realized.

My parents tried to teach me this lesson when they told me I had to work for my first car.  I took my first part-time job at age 15 so that I could earn enough money to buy a car by the time I got my license at age 16.  The more I suffered through some dirty jobs, the more I hoped for that car.  My only requirements for the car were that it run, be red, and cost less than the amount in my savings account since I knew by age 16 that I never wanted to go into debt for a car.  It was a beater car, but I worked hard for it and appreciated it. I hope this photo from the late 80s will bring some levity to an otherwise serious post about suffering.

Big Bangs & a Budget Beater

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Birthing babies is not one of my strengths.  I had difficult pregnancies and near tragic deliveries. Any mother knows that suffering and hope are inseparable when it comes to child-bearing.

More Levity?

However, I am grateful that from an eternal perspective, earthly suffering is but for a moment and pales in comparison to the riches prepared for us.
Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

I also rejoice that God uses suffering to bring us to our knees so that we can become receptive to God's saving grace.  I know of many precious souls who have come to faith in Christ when they suffered most. 

Finally, I am thankful that we do not have to go through times of suffering alone and without hope.
Isaiah 43: 2 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.