Romans 5:3-4
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
Tag: The purpose of suffering
God's word has much to say about suffering. Since our Savior suffered we, too, will suffer. He promised it. He promised blessings and He promised suffering. We can't take on without the other. John 17 tells of both. We can't pick and choose. Christ tells us in John 17 we will be Loved by God and Hated by the World. We can simply have the one without the other. This is why, in the above text, Paul tells us the purpose of suffering. This is ONE of the passage in Gods Word that gives us a purpose for suffering. This set of verses is not THE purpose, but A purpose for suffering. We are called to suffering because this is how God builds our character. We can think of David's running from Saul as a prime example of Paul's teaching. David ran from Saul and in the running developed character. He literally "became" the king as he ran and learned to lead. Suffering leads us to Godly character if we accept it by faith. Suffering is the tool, but it is a blunt tool if we do not mix it with faith. We we accept it by faith we will see growth unparalleled. If we fight it and resist it we miss the advantages that faith can bring.
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