Romans 3:3-5

Suffering

• Thilipsis - pressure from the outside
• "Jesus promised His disciples 3 things - that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and constantly in trouble" ~ William Barclay

2 Timothy 3:12

Joy

• Suffering can be met with...
  • Doubting God, His goodness, His promises
  • Bitterness towards others
  • Resignation and despair
• We rejoice because...
  • God is with us
  • God is for us
  • Trials are temporary
  • Their worst is still our win

Luke 21:19

Endurance

• Spiritual grit that shows up in real life situations
• Spiritual grit vs. Spiritual Tarzan
• Jesus believed endurance was important (Luke 21:19)

Character

• Infrastructure of the soul - seen in success and failure
• Tested commodity that has proven genuine
• We are transformed to know, understand, and do God's will (Romans 12:2)

Hope

• Because God is working
• Because God is with me now
• Because God will not forsake me
• Because God has unconditional love for me