"Hidden Blessings"

Reflection

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope”

- Romans 5:3-4

God’s wise design for His children often runs counter to our own ideas of how things “ought to” unfold. The Father’s plan to sanctify His sons and daughters is one which involves trial, trouble, and tribulation. The furnace of affliction often produces the purest gold in the soul of the believer. The bitter root of adversity is known to bring forth the precious flower of sanctity. God’s sovereign providence brings things into our lives that may seem like an annoyance or a burden. Yet, it is these very things that offer us opportunities to grow in grace, humility, and steadfastness. The suffering that produces endurance is well worth rejoicing in, once we learn to submit to the One who works all things after the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11). Rejoicing in suffering comes from knowing  that every difficulty we are met with has been authored and directed  to come our way from the perfect will of our loving heavenly Father. Job, understanding this exclaimed, “who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this” (Job 12:9). It is better to be afflicted and loved by God, than to have ease and be left in our sin. God does not tempt us, but does test us to prove the genuineness of our faith (1 Pet. 1:6-7). We shouldn’t murmur at God’s dealings with us, but remember that He disciplines us for our good so that we may share in His holiness (Heb. 12:10). How often is it that God’s favor is bestowed upon us in mysterious ways? Praise God that the shining of His countenance is not the only indication that we are His beloved. For even when He chooses to hide His face from us the truths of the gospel remain unchanged and unchangeable. Suffering produces endurance; endurance produces character; character produces hope. Hidden blessings abound for the child of the Most High if only we will look and believe. May suffering do its good work in us!

“Suffering, trials, bitter tears, and trying circumstance

Would surely overcome my soul if they were all by chance

Yet I will place my faith in God and His good providence,

And humbly bow beneath His rod and trust His wise intent”