OPENING ILLUSTRATION: There is a story told among the Cherokee Indians…
One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 wolves.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, lies, false pride, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, kindness, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed the most."
? We create our character by the choices we make.
INTRODUCTION: Today, we gather around a very challenging yet liberating truth found in the Word of God. In a scripture passage that seems almost paradoxical, we find a divine strategy for growth—a sacred blueprint for the soul's maturation. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, offers a perspective that cuts against the grain of human inclination. Romans 5:3-4 says: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
This principle runs counter to what the world tells us. Our culture often tells us to avoid suffering at any cost, to seek pleasure and ease above all else. But Paul's message is different. He does not simply suggest but declares with the authority of heavenly insight that suffering is not without purpose. In these verses, Paul lays out a divine chain reaction that begins with our suffering and leads us to hope—through the strengthening of our character. As Christians, we are not exempt from difficulties. In God's kingdom, character is currency.
This passage reminds us that character is not something we are born with—it’s something we build over time, one trial at a time, in partnership with God. The process isn’t easy, and it’s rarely comfortable. But the transformation that takes place within us has eternal value. God can use even the hardest moments in our lives to develop us into more faithful, compassionate, and resilient people—people who reflect His image and demonstrate His love to the world.
The journey from tribulation to triumph is not for the faint of heart. It requires faith, trust, and a radical reassessment of our trials. Building character is not a casual undertaking—it is a holy construction project sanctified by the Master Builder Himself.
So, wherever you are today—whether you are in a season of joy or a season of trial—let us allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us through this passage. Together, we will discover why we can "glory in our sufferings" and how God can use them to build something extraordinary in us.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF GODLY CHARACTER BUILDING?
1. SUFFERING IS A PART OF GOD’S PLAN
When we face adversity, our natural reaction might be frustration, despair, or even bitterness. However, Paul gives us an unexpected perspective: “We also glory in our sufferings...” Glorying in suffering may sound strange, but this biblical truth challenges us to view hardship as an opportunity rather than a punishment.
Paul begins by flipping our understanding of suffering on its head. Instead of seeing it as an unwelcome interruption, we are to “glory in our sufferings.” This isn’t about masochism but about recognizing that trials have a purpose. They are not random; they test our faith and produce perseverance.
ILLUSTRATION: Job
Consider Job, who suffered immensely despite being a righteous man. He lost his family, possessions, and health. Though Job wrestled with his pain and sought answers from God, he ultimately learned to trust God’s divine purposes. Through his suffering, Job developed a deeper relationship with God and a greater understanding of His sovereignty.
REFLECTION: When we face hardship, it’s natural to ask why. But when we trust God’s sovereignty and believe that He works even in the hardest moments of life, we discover that our suffering has a higher purpose. God sometimes uses trials to refine and strengthen us, drawing us closer to Him.
2. PERSEVERANCE IS BUILT THROUGH ENDURING WITH FAITH
Paul continues, telling us that suffering produces perseverance. Persistence is a choice—it is a commitment to stay the course even when circumstances make us want to quit. Perseverance is not about remaining unaffected by trials; instead, it is about unwavering faith even in difficult seasons.
Perseverance is born from the repeated act of choosing faith over fear, commitment over capitulation. Just as muscles grow through the stress of exercise, our spiritual resolve strengthens when we navigate adversity with trust in God.
ILLUSTRATION: Joseph in Egypt
Joseph’s life provides a clear example of perseverance. Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and wrongfully imprisoned, Joseph could have easily given in to despair. But instead, he trusted God through his trials and continued to honor Him. His faith and perseverance ultimately led to his rise to power in Egypt, where he saved countless lives and reunited with his family.
REFLECTION: Are we persevering when life becomes harder? Walking through trials can feel like running a marathon—a long, strenuous journey. Ask God to strengthen your faith and give you the endurance to stand firm, even when you don’t see immediate results.
3. CHARACTED IS FORGED THROUGH PERSEVERANCE
"Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character..."
What is character? Simply put, character is who we are when no one is watching. It is the foundation of how we live, act, and respond in every area of our lives. God uses perseverance to shape us from the inside out, revealing areas in our lives that need refining. Through trials, our faith becomes stronger, our attitudes more humble, and our hearts more reliant on God.
Character is the authentic self that operates regardless of who's watching, because it is Who we are that matters to God. As C.S. Lewis once said, "Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching."
ILLUSTRATION: Moses
Moses is another powerful example of how struggle produces character. For 40 years, Moses lived in exile in the wilderness after fleeing Egypt. During this season of waiting, God humbled Moses, shaped his heart, and prepared him for leadership. By the time God called Moses to deliver the Israelites from slavery, his character had been transformed—he had become a leader who depended wholly on God.
REFLECTION: Reflect on your own life moments that have shaped your character. Has God used trials to develop humility, patience, compassion, or faith in you? Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to submit to God’s refining process, knowing that the strengthening of your character is vital for fulfilling your God-given purpose.
4. CHARACTER LEADS TO UNSHAKABLE HOPE
"...and character, hope."
The final step in this cycle is hope. As our character develops, we experience the faithfulness of God, and this strengthens our trust in His promises. Hope is not wishful thinking—it is a confident belief in the goodness of God and the fulfillment of His promises, even in the darkest times.
Hope is infectious, and a character formed through perseverance serves as a beacon of hope to others. We become living testimonies of God’s faithfulness, showing the world that our God is not distant or uncaring but deeply involved in the intricate details of our lives.
ILLUSTRATION: Paul’s Hope in Christ
Paul, the writer of Romans, is the perfect example of hope forged through character-building trials. He endured shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonment, and ridicule, yet proclaimed: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)
Paul’s hope was unshakable because he trusted in the eternal glory that awaited him in Christ. His suffering produced perseverance; perseverance forged his character; and his character filled him with an unwavering hope.
REFLECTION: Do you have hope in the midst of your trials? Know that the suffering you face today is not the end of your story—it is part of God’s greater plan. Hope anchors you in the truth that God is faithful and that His promises never fail.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
• Reflect on past trials: Take a moment to think about a difficulty you’ve come through in the past. How did it teach you perseverance? What changes did it bring to your character?
• Trust in God’s process: Instead of trying to avoid hardship, ask God to use your current struggles to shape your heart. Surrender the process to Him, trusting that He’s building you for something greater.
• Anchor yourself in hope: Write down promises of God found in Scripture, especially those that remind you of His faithfulness. When suffering arises, hold fast to these promises as your source of hope.
Character is not built in the comfort zone; it’s forged in the fire of adversity. Romans 5:3-4 reminds us that, as painful as trials may be, they can ultimately lead to something far greater—qualities that reflect the heart of Christ within us.
Take heart today, knowing that your struggles are not in vain. God is at work in every difficulty, building perseverance in you, shaping your character, and filling you with a hope that will never disappoint. Trust Him to finish the work He has started in you, knowing that His plans are always for your good and His glory.
