For consideration as you read:
Reflecting on the suffering that Jesus bore raises an important question: what purpose does human suffering serve? According to today’s scripture, suffering is merely suffering for those who are not living in Christ. It is marked by pain, loss, and frustration, offering no lasting benefit and leading to no true resolution.
However, for those who place their faith in Christ, suffering takes on meaning. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, believers are formed for something greater. Suffering produces endurance and perseverance, which in turn shapes character. Endurance is the ability to continue when everything says to stop. The world would tell us that suffering is something to be avoided or that it should be pitiful, but it actually provides an opportunity to grow into the people that God is calling us to be.
Scripture: Romans 5:3-8 ESV 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. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Grab your Bible, a journal, and a pen to reflect on what God is teaching you through this section of scripture. Here is the format that we will follow:
Be Still: As you read, write out the Bible verse or verses that stick out to you most.
Abide: What truth can you learn? Are there any principles or commands present? What is the overall theme of the text?
Adore: What does the text reveal about God and His character?
Apply: How does this Scripture apply to your life today? How does the truth of God’s Word change your daily perspective? How can you live differently in light of this truth?
Pray: Pray God’s Word back to Him. Turn these thoughts into prayer. Ask the Lord to show you how to meditate on and apply this Scripture to your life.
