Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
There is a saying that goes “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” What I appreciate about this saying is that often times difficult lessons in life give us both perspective and a sense of endurance as we are able to navigate the challenges of life. While I don’t think that it is always true as some experiences in life are both insurmountable and can affect us in negative ways, there is an element of this saying that holds some truth. Many times there are difficult things that happen to us and when we are able to make it through them we are encouraged by learning that we are stronger or more supported than we thought possible.
Paul’s message here goes against what many of us are told. He tells us to boast about our afflictions and share what our struggles have been. For many of us, we hold the difficult stories close to our vest out of fear or shame. And, yet, when we open up and share we feel so much less alone as we learn that so many others have had similar challenges. Boasting and sharing our story is just the beginning of our journey as by connecting with others Paul tells us that we then gain endurance and character culminating in hope. And hope helps us see not only tomorrow but far beyond. When we are presented with a challenge, I have heard the question asked, “Where do I find hope?” Paul would tell us to share our story and through sharing and connecting we gain endurance, which shapes our character, and ultimately we are gifts in hope because we are not alone.
Prayer
God of Strength and Hope, this life can present so many challenges and places to stumble. It is hard to be a human being and yet you call us to persevere and continue. Through sharing our struggles with one another, we can be encouraged and strengthen and find hope. Give us courage to share, to endure, and to find hope in the hopeless. Amen.