Perseverance is rooted in hope. We persevere when we believe that what awaits us is worth the fight.
After traversing the realities of earthly trouble in his letter to the Corinthians, showing how the hope of the gospel transforms a Christian’s hurts, Paul’s conclusion is simply this: “We do not lose heart” (v. 16, NIV). Jesus has risen and will bring us into his presence! Our hope in Christ is secure and unshakeable.
But Paul’s eyes are not only on the future. He knows that this fight of faith is accomplishing something else of great worth along the way: the renewing of our inner selves, even while our outer selves are wasting away. His point is this: Suffering changes us, for the better, right now.
What rejoicing there is when we realize that the Holy Spirit is producing Christlike character in us! When the road goes uphill, when our faith feels weak but proves strong enough, when we see the Spirit changing us bit by bit along the way, we realize: We are justified! We do have peace with God. We can and we will enjoy access to his grace! Our hope is real. This is how you rejoice even during—and perhaps especially during—times of suffering.
Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton are coauthors of Hope When It Hurts: Biblical Reflections to Help You Grasp God's Purpose in Your Suffering (The Good Book Company). Kristen blogs at www.UnlockingtheBible.org. Sarah blogs at www.SetApart.net.
