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“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5, ESV)

Pastor Abel’s sermon on this passage is titled, “Purpose in Pain”.

In this life, we all face many difficult and hard things—from sickness and death to physical and emotional pain, to that vague sense of the pressure of life that can make it difficult to breathe sometimes.

To make matters worse, through all our trials there can be the weight of loneliness because, while we do have friends or family to help carry our burdens, there is often a sense that no one truly understands what we are going through.

That is one reason why the Apostle Paul’s words above can give us hope: “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Not only does God use our trials to help us grow into the character of his Son, but he doesn’t make us go through our difficult times alone. Meditate on these promises:

  • “Behold, I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20)
  • “I will not leave you or forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5)
  • “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:15-18)
  • “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
  • “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

 

For Further Study

 

Small Group Questions

  • What stands out to you from Abel’s sermon and from Romans 5:3-5?
  • Thinking back through your life as a Christian, when have you faced something difficult or gone through a season of suffering (from minor daily trials to more serious sufferings)? How has your faith in God and his word carried you through those times?
  • Describe how God has used painful moments in your life to change you. How does seeing this change in your life give you hope (why/why not)?
  • As a group, read through Hebrews 12:1-14. Discuss what this passage teaches about God, and our relationship to him as his children. How does Christ’s example help us through our own trials?