We boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us."
Romans 5:2b-5
Here are two sentences to think about, as we try to link them with our own experience. Suffering is not something to boast about. If we am healthy, we try to avoid suffering. Yet Paul is right: suffering can steel us, produce endurance and character. As for the last phrase, there are times when we feel ourselves a channel of God's love: it is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, and through us to other people.
When someone we love suffers, we suffer with that person, and we would not have it otherwise, because the suffering and the love are one, just as it is with God's love for us.
A. Parnell Bailey visited an orange grove where an irrigation pump had broken down. The season was unusually dry and some of the trees were beginning to die for lack of water. The man giving the tour then took Bailey to his own orchard where irrigation was used sparingly. "These trees could go without rain for another 2 weeks," he said. "You see, when they were young, I frequently kept water from them. This hardship caused them to send their roots deeper into the soil in search of moisture. Now mine are the deepest-rooted trees in the area. While others are being scorched by the sun, these are finding moisture at a greater depth."
Is there some truth then in the phrase, "No pain. No gain?"
A Prayer
Lord, may we respond by faith to what we hear,
and use our mouths to share who you are.
May we tell of your good deeds and love,
and inspire faith in those around us.
Help us to have compassion for those in need,
and respond in love with acts of generosity
Amen
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