Listen:
Romans 5:3-5
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. 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.
Consider:
It’s easy to feel faithful and hopeful when life is smooth. The real test, the true refining process, comes when we are walking through hardship—when the path is unclear, the burdens are heavy, and discouragement is a constant companion. In these moments, we often try to force hope, chanting optimistic phrases while our hearts feel hollow.
But scripture teaches us a more profound truth: hope is formed, not forced.
The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 5:3-4, “...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Notice the order. Hope isn’t the starting line; it’s the beautiful, enduring product of a process. Our suffering isn’t wasted; it’s the environment in which our spiritual muscle—endurance—is built. This endurance refines our character, making us stronger, more compassionate, and more reliant on God.
God doesn’t send the suffering, but God can use the suffering to help reveal inner truths about ourselves and to clarify parts of our faith which may have been hidden before.
When you are in the middle of a trial, don’t worry about summoning an artificial feeling of hope. It’s ok to recognize the work which is happening in your heart. Instead, focus on the immediate, concrete action of staying faithful right where you are.
It’s ok even if your prayers are just raw whispers of frustration or pain. Maybe it’s continuing to do the next right thing, even if it’s small. Remind yourself to hold onto the core belief that God is good and God’s promises are true, even when they seem delayed.
It’s those moments of practice which help us grow stronger, more certain in our footing, and are the ones where we look backward into the past and remember the lessons we learned from the journey.
Respond:
What hardship are you enduring right now? How can you release the need to feel hopeful and instead focus on taking one small step of faithfulness today? Take one concrete action which reflects a way God has been with you in the past.
Pray:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth that hope is formed. When hardship comes, help me stop forcing optimism. Instead, grant me endurance and the strength to stay faithful in the process. Refine my character, so the genuine, resilient hope You promise can be deeply formed within me. Amen.
