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God's Words For US
by Cecelia Lester
Anticipating Hope
Not only that but we rejoice in our sufferings knowing that sufferings produce 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)
Paul gives the Roman Christians sage wisdom in this passage.
“we rejoice in our sufferings,”
Wait a minute! None of us like to rejoice when we are ill. I, personally, didn’t rejoice when I severely broke my ankle and was out of commission for almost five months. No one enjoys being ill or incapacitated.
“sufferings produce endurance,”
When we experience difficulties of health crises, interpersonal issues, or financial backsets, we learn to weather the storm and wait for the situation to get better or we find a ‘new normal’. This is called endurance.
“endurance produces character”
When we wait out the issues that lay before us, we find we have unknown strength. We become different people because of these new strengths.
“character produces hope,”
When our character and that new strength takes hold of our hearts, we begin to see things in a better light than before. We have a better rein on our emotions.
“hope does not put us to shame,”
Hope brings a positive outlook of our future. It causes people to have better feelings about their futures and what comes into their daily lives. Believers in Christ know that God is in control of all the circumstances of their lives.
“God’s love has been poured into our hearts”
We receive God’s love when we ask Jesus into our hearts and lives. We become His vessels, His representatives here on earth.
“through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
God’s work in this age is done by the person He sent to us after He received Jesus back into heaven. The Holy Spirit guides us through our lives as we go through each day.
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Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.
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