“3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 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.”
- Romans 5:3-5
When we run into problems and trials in our lives, sometimes our default is to be angry with God, or to ask why, or to feel helpless altogether. What is interesting is that the bible asks what seems impossible--God asks us to rejoice during these hard times. Because it is by enduring these hard times that we are able to be stronger, to grow our faith, to depend on God. Faith affirms our confidence in God through his Love.
Once, I heard a speaker at a retreat share her experiences in one of the toughest times in her life. It is through this experience that she shares her learning that resilience can only be built by going through hard times. Our character, our endurance, our strength, and our faith--they come by the practice of overcoming challenges and adversities. Through suffering, we grow. With the knowledge that God is always by our side, we should then welcome and rejoice at these opportunities for growth.
2020 has been a challenging year through the pandemic, and there may be more challenges to come in 2021. There has been so much change, suffering, and sadness. While respecting the difficulties of these years, find aspects of which we can rejoice--the innovation, the united efforts, the resilience of the human race are all things we should celebrate even in these dark times. Most of all, rejoice in your faith and your capacity to adapt and grow, as you endure these memorable times with a heart full of love and hope.
Reflection: Note down how the last few months have made you grow as an individual and rejoice in the character building opportunities. How have you grown? How have you remained resilient during challenging times?
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