Hope

Listen:

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope”. (Romans 5:3-4 NIV)

Reflect:

I watch our youngest granddaughter Emmy, who is 16 months old now, as she tries tomake her first steps. Lots of times she falls, cries, gets up and will try again to walk. Several bruises, bumps on the head and tears, but she is determined: “I want towalk!!”  As her grandma, I delight in this process, knowing, that her perseverance will bring her to that place of walking! 

These verses describe a process, starting with suffering, to get to the point of hope, That hope will help us, to go again through that same circle with more faith.

I am touched by what Henri Nouwen stated: “Suffering allows us to place our hurts in larger hands. The small and even overpowering pains of our lives are intimately connected with the greater pains of Christ. Our daily sorrows are anchored in a greater sorrow and therefore a larger hope”.

Questions to Ponder:

Can you recall a process in your life when you, through suffering, got more perseverance, you were changed in your character and were filled with hope?

Prayer of Response:

“Father, help us not to skip any lesson we need to learn to become more like You. Thank You, that Your promise is hope, and that means LIFE!”

—Submitted by: Mathilde Companjen
Mathilde is married to husband, Barth for 46 years. She is mother of four daughters and grandmother of four grandchildren. Mathilde is Dutch and lives in the Netherlands.