Romans 5:3-5

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us ~ Romans 5:3-5


What is the best way to build our expertise? Usually, through trial and error. I love watercolour painting and am basically a self-taught painter. It has been through my mistakes that I have learned many basic aspects of watercolour paint such as how it flows on the paper, what paper to use, how much water on the paper and my brush. It has taken perseverance to learn the craft which has allowed me to become at least moderately good. When covid began, I began to watch some artists who now do tutorials online, and now I have the hope of improving more and more. It is much the same with the suffering we undergo as a Christ follower. We suffer sometimes due to our own errors or sin, and other times it is due to a fallen world around us, either way, suffering comes upon us. Our faith is challenged as our character learns to depend more and more upon the strength of Jesus and learn from him. And this all gives us the hope that we are becoming more like him, as well as the hope that our suffering reminds us of what he went through for us to know him. We are transformed through our suffering stages, our character builds and is refined, and the challenges of life, though they may throw us off, do not do so permanently, for our faith has been built to believe and trust in our loving Lord and God. So, if you are suffering today under a heavy load, first lift it up to the God of love, then wait for his hopeful pouring out of the Holy Spirit into our heart to bring us blessing through the pain.

Pastor Julia

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