“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”  Romans 5:3-5

No one likes trials and troubles, but everyone has them and while we don’t like them, it helps to know that when we do, there is a purpose.  The Scripture teaches us that we can rejoice and be happy when we face the challenges of life, because the challenges are helping us to develop and grow endurance.

Endurance is the ability to remain active and productive even when facing adverse conditions.  It is the picture of something that lasts, regardless of time.  As we face trials and troubles, God is using the problems to develop endurance in our lives.  We can rejoice because this endurance develops character.

Character is the moral and ethical traits that make you uniquely who you are.  Someone has said that character is who you are when no one else is looking.  As we endure trials, we develop character. And our character as it grows and develops produces hope.

Hope is a feeling that things are going to be better.  Our hope is in our salvation and the relationship that it makes possible with our Creator.  This relationship is based in the love of a Creator for His creation.  This love is grown in the relationship of trust, which is strengthened in hope of an even brighter tomorrow.  This day and every day after this, is possible, because of our relationship with, to and through the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with the amazing and blessed love of our most awesome friend and Creator…

Take some time today, even in the midst of challenges to let Him fill you up with His Spirit!