John 12:27-28
“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name”
This verse reminds us that there is a purpose to suffering. There is nothing wrong with asking God to save you from your troubles, however, don’t get discouraged when it seems like He isn’t answering your prayers. Sometimes suffering is necessary for the greater good. Like in this verse, Jesus knows that his suffering will lead to our salvation. Perhaps, rather than solely asking God for our suffering to end, we could ask Him to glorify His name in our affliction just as Jesus did.
Romans 5:3-5
“… we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.”
The connotations for the word “suffering” are not typically positive. When we think of suffering, we think of pain, sadness, heartache. I wouldn’t say that “endurance”, “character”, and “hope” are words that are usually associated with affliction, but this verse brings an uncommon sense of positivity to the idea of hardship. Growth is near impossible without the existence of suffering, and you can’t grow without learning. Through affliction we learn endurance and character and, most importantly, hope. Hope gives us the opportunity to practice trusting in the Lord. And what better way to love Christ than to place our trust in Him? What makes it even better is that this verse lets us know that we will not be disappointed by having hope. In the end, the love of God will prevail.
1 Corinthians 10:13
“No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your own strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.”
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