Week 11 - Thursday

Benefits of Tribulation

knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, (Romans 5:3b-5a)

As Christians we rejoice in our tribulations because they prove we are saved. But there is another reason we should rejoice in tribulation. We should also rejoice because of the spiritual benefits that it produces. When we suffer for our faith in Christ, we benefit from it. The first spiritual benefit that tribulation produces is perseverance. The Greek word translated in the Bible as perseverance is hupomone which means steadfastness, patience and endurance. Perseverance in a Christian is the ability to keep moving ahead, even when under great opposition, patiently waiting and trusting that God will do what He has promised. Perseverance isn't something that comes natural to people though, it comes as a result of experiencing difficulty. Small children tend to have very little patience when they want something. When a baby wakes up it often screams until it gets its milk. Waiting until after dinner for a cookie can seem like forever to a young child. Children experience (what seems to them to be) great suffering as they learn they must wait for the things that they want. As they grow older they find, not only do they have to wait for the things they want, they also have to do all kinds of things they don't want to. Later though, they usually learn that it's the unpleasant things we need to do in life, that often bring us the greatest rewards. Eating the right kinds of foods and going to the doctor regularly, helps to ensure good health. Doing homework and studying hard in school results in better grades which can lead to a good career.

The difficult things that children experience as they grow up are all a part of developing their character. As Christians, the persecution and suffering we experience because of our faith in Christ, produces perseverance. Then perseverance, once it is developed, results in proven character. Proven character is from the Greek word dokime which means a trial or test to prove if something is genuine. It was often used in regard to the testing of money and coins to be sure they were not counterfeit. God uses the tribulations we experience as Christians to build our character. As we go through difficult situations in life, God (through the power of His Holy Spirit) is producing the right kind of attitudes in us so that when our our faith is tested, it will prove to be genuine.

The final result of proven character is hope. The more tribulation we experience the less attached we become to this world and the more we hope for heaven. Our hearts and thoughts are turned away from wordly things and the things of God's kingdom become more and more important to us. The tribulations of this world produce perseverance in us. Perseverance results in proven character and proven character produces hope. In the end, our hope will not disappoint us because God is faithful. Everything that God has promised, He will do. We will go to heaven. We will have eternal life and we will share in God's glory. God will do it all because He said that He will. Praise God for His faithfulness. Thank Him for the hope that He has given you, and for all your tribulations and the spiritual benefits they are producing.

Readings for today: James 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 1:5-7; 2 Cor. 12:10; Col. 3:2-4; Titus 1:2