The benefits of suffering

Joni Eareckson Tada as a teenager enjoyed hiking, riding horses, swimming and tennis. In the summer of 1967 she dove into Chesapeake Bay and shattered her spine. This summer she marked 50 years as a quadriplegic. For 50 years she has been confined to a wheelchair. Why does God allow suffering in the lives of His children? What are the benefits to suffering?

Romans 5:3 says, “….we also rejoice in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” God says that as Christians we can even rejoice in our difficulties. The apostle Paul echoes the words of James, the half brother of Jesus, who said, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials….” My first response is not to rejoice in difficult circumstances! The key to rejoicing in difficult circumstances is to understand the benefits of them. Romans 5:3-4 promises three great benefits from suffering.

The first great benefit is perseverance. Perseverance is the Greek word hupomone. It means “to live under something.” It is the ability to continue working in the face of strong opposition and great obstacles. Tough times produce tenacity. It is the ability to triumphantly face anything life can give you. God provides the strength that takes adversities and turns them into something triumphant.

Vince Lombardi led the Green Bay Packers to five championships in seven years. He made his practices very tough. He said that the fourth quarter always belonged to the Green Bay Packers. His practices were so strenuous the games seemed easy. The trials of life are used by God to produce endurance.

The second great benefit is proven character. Proven character is the idea of being a seasoned veteran. Proven character means “proof.” The faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted. Faith that fizzles before the finish had a flaw from the first! According to the parable of the soils in Matthew 13, trials crush the faith of unbelievers. Believers (those who know the Lord Jesus) are different. Luke 8:15 says, “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the Word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.”

You can tell the difference between a true child of God and someone who does not truly know God. If difficult circumstances come into your life and make you more tender toward the Lord, if they make you love the Lord Jesus more that is evidence of true salvation.

Proven character is one of Paul’s favorite terms. It is from the world of the blacksmith. The blacksmith hammered a red hot horseshoe to shape it. He would shape and test the metal on the anvil. When you undergo tribulation you are being tried. You are being hammered. You are being purified. It produces a tested character. The end result is a spiritual maturity and a stability and a seasoning in your life.

The third great benefit is hope. Romans 5:5 reads, “…and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Jesus died on the cross. The Father’s wrath against our sin was poured out upon Jesus. Hope is the knowledge of true salvation. When a person perseveres through suffering that is evidence of true salvation.

After her accident, Joni Eareckson Tada experienced suicidal thoughts, anger, depression and much pain. She questioned God. She learned to paint with the brush between her teeth. Her faith deepened. She has written over forty books. Her radio broadcast is heard daily on over one thousand stations. She has recorded several albums. God know what He is about! Trust Him!

Ethan Hansen is the pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.