Go! And Rejoice In Trials: Trusting God Through Suffering Romans 5:3-5 Series

Go! And Rejoice in Trials: Trusting God Through Suffering

Introduction

Charles Spurgeon once said, "Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil and let us see what we are made of." Life is filled with hardships, but the Bible teaches us that suffering is not meaningless. Instead, it produces endurance, character, and hope. Today, we will explore how we can trust God through trials, standing on the truth of Romans 5:3-5 and discovering how His promises shape our response to suffering.

Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) — "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 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."

Paul gives us a roadmap for trusting God through suffering, showing how trials ultimately lead to greater faith and hope in God. Let’s explore each stage of this transformation.

1. Trials Develop Endurance

Understanding Endurance

The Greek word for "endurance" in verse 3 is hypomone (?p?µ???), which means steadfastness, perseverance, or remaining under pressure without giving up. This is not passive suffering but an active trust in God’s sovereignty.

James 1:2-4 (NLT) — "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

James echoes Paul’s teaching, reminding us that trials refine our faith. Endurance in the Christian life is like a muscle—it grows stronger through resistance. Imagine an athlete training: the more they push through exhaustion, the stronger they become. Likewise, we grow spiritually as we persevere through hardship.

Instead of asking, "Why is this happening to me?" ask, "Lord, how can this trial strengthen my faith?" Develop endurance by leaning into God’s promises rather than giving in to despair.

Rick Warren: "God is more interested in your character than your comfort. He wants you to grow spiritually, not just be comfortable."

2. Endurance Produces Character

Understanding Character

The Greek word for "character" is dokime (d???µ?), meaning tested and proven integrity. It refers to something refined, like gold purified by fire.

1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) — "So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold."

Peter describes how trials reveal and refine our faith. A blacksmith places metal in fire to remove impurities, making it stronger. Likewise, God refines us through trials, strengthening our faith and integrity.

Have you ever been through a difficult season and later realized how God used it to shape your faith? Trust that your trials are forming you into the person God wants you to be.

Francis Chan: "God will allow trials in your life so that you will grow closer to Him and reflect His character more clearly."

3. Character Strengthens Hope

Understanding Hope

The Greek word for "hope" is elpis (??p??), meaning confident expectation. Biblical hope is not wishful thinking but an assured trust in God’s faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:21-23 (NLT) — "Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."

Jeremiah wrote this during a time of great suffering. Even in despair, he clung to the hope found in God’s unchanging faithfulness.

Hope is the anchor of our souls. Trials may shake us, but they cannot separate us from God’s love. Keep your eyes on His promises rather than your circumstances.

N.T. Wright: "Christian hope is about trusting that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead is working in every part of our lives."

4. Hope Does Not Lead to Disappointment

Understanding God’s Love

Paul assures us that our hope in God will never be in vain because His love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 49:23 (NLT) — "Those who trust in me will never be put to shame."

God is faithful to His promises. Unlike worldly hopes that may fail, our hope in Christ is secure.

When faced with uncertainty, remind yourself: God has never failed me, and He won’t start now!

Billy Graham: "God’s promises are stronger than our fears, and His faithfulness is greater than our doubts."

Conclusion

Paul teaches us that trials refine us. They build endurance, which strengthens our character, which deepens our hope in God. And that hope will never disappoint.