Brighter Days

Spring is taking its time here in the Midwest. Two days of 60’s temps were followed by four weeks of cool, cloudy, rainy weather. But spring is coming—it always does eventually. There’s hope in that thought, and I can’t remember a year when we didn’t finally see brighter days. As the wind howls southward, I feel like we’re hopelessly stuck in always-winter.

Can you recall a time when you felt hopeless? Join the club. Life brings ups and downs, sometimes more of the latter. God challenges us to respond to affliction in an unexpected way—by rejoicing. Romans chapter 5, verses 3-4 says “. . .we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” There’s a key to grace-filled responses as referenced earlier in the chapter, and that is faith in Jesus Christ. By His grace, we grow through hard times. Such progress is patterned as follows: suffering teaches perseverance. Perseverance produces character. From godly character, hope springs forth.

It sounds simple, but this trip from pain to hope could take days, months, or even years. It depends on our response. Let’s pray: Lord, please teach us to persevere in difficulty, knowing that we will glorify You through a joyful journey home.