Life is full of ups and downs, twists and turns that often leave us wondering why we face such difficulties. But what if these challenges serve a greater purpose? What if our struggles are actually shaping us into who we’re meant to be?
The book of Romans offers profound insights into this very question. It reminds us that we have been “declared righteous by faith” and now have “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This righteousness isn’t earned through our own efforts, but freely given when we place our trust in Jesus. It’s a gift that transforms our relationship with God from one of enmity to one of peace.
But this gift of righteousness doesn’t mean life suddenly becomes easy. In fact, the Bible encourages us to “rejoice in our afflictions.” At first glance, this seems counterintuitive. Who rejoices in suffering? Yet there’s a profound reason behind this seemingly paradoxical advice:
“We know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.”
This progression reveals the hidden purpose behind our trials. Each difficulty we face has the potential to strengthen us, building our spiritual and emotional muscles. Just as a runner trains for a marathon, our struggles prepare us for the long journey of life.
Consider the story of Buddy McCormick, a man who exemplified this truth. Shot in the face during World War II at just 18 years old, Buddy endured a lifetime of physical challenges. Yet even in his final years, confined to a nursing home bed, he constantly thanked God for his sufferings. Why? Because he recognized that through his trials, God had found him faithful and was using his life to touch others.
Buddy’s story challenges us to shift our perspective on hardship. Instead of asking “Why me?” we can begin to ask, “What is this teaching me? How can God use this for good?”
This doesn’t mean we should seek out suffering or minimize the very real pain we experience. Rather, it invites us to look beyond the immediate circumstances to the bigger picture God is painting with our lives.
The Bible assures us that this hope “will not disappoint us because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” The presence of the Holy Spirit within believers serves as a down payment, a guarantee of God’s promises. Just as you might put a down payment on a car, fully intending to return and claim it, God has placed His Spirit within us as a pledge of His commitment to us.
This hope becomes our anchor in life’s storms. It reminds us that our current struggles are not the end of the story. There’s something greater waiting for us, a future where God will make all things new.
But this hope isn’t meant to be kept to ourselves. Our journey through affliction to endurance to character to hope becomes a powerful testimony. It’s a “gospel message” in itself, showing others the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ.
Think about your own life story. What challenges have you faced? How have they shaped you? Your experiences, both the triumphs and the trials, have uniquely equipped you to encourage others. God wants to use you – yes, you – to share hope with a hurting world.
This truth applies regardless of age or circumstances. From the youngest child to the oldest senior, God has a purpose for each life. The question is: are we willing to let Him use us?
It’s easy to disqualify ourselves, thinking we’re not good enough, holy enough, or knowledgeable enough to be used by God. But remember, it’s not about our qualifications. It’s about our willingness to say “yes” when God calls.
The Bible encourages us to “be prepared to give an explanation for the hope that you have.” This doesn’t mean having all the answers or being able to win theological debates. It simply means being ready to share your story – how you’ve experienced God’s love and faithfulness in your own life.
Maybe you’re reading this and thinking, “But I don’t feel very hopeful right now.” That’s okay. Hope isn’t always a feeling; sometimes it’s a choice. It’s deciding to trust God even when we can’t see the way forward. It’s remembering His faithfulness in the past and choosing to believe He’ll be faithful again.
As we cultivate this hope, something beautiful happens. We begin to see our lives differently. Instead of random events or cruel twists of fate, we recognize God’s hand shaping us. We realize that nothing in our past is wasted – every experience, good or bad, has contributed to who we are today.
This doesn’t mean we have to be glad about every painful thing that’s happened to us. But it does mean we can trust that God is able to bring good even out of our deepest hurts. He is the master artist, weaving together the dark and light threads of our lives into a tapestry of grace.
So today, whatever you’re facing, remember: your story isn’t over. God is still at work, using every challenge to build endurance, shape your character, and ultimately, produce a hope that will not disappoint. And as you hold onto that hope, be open to the ways God might want to use you to bring hope to others.
Your life is a message of hope waiting to be shared. Will you let God use you today?
Thoughts from Pastor Toney 