Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He has brought us by faith into this experience of God’s grace, in which we now live. And so we boast of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory! We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God’s approval, and his approval creates hope. This hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us.

Romans 5:1-5

Pray for patience. Pray for perseverance. Only believers that have undergone stress and distress can develop steadfastness. That trait will develop character. Paul told the Christians in Rome that "tribulation produces perseverance." He knew what he was talking about because he had faced it. If you are facing a difficult test, praise God! Under His wise control, everything that happens to us – whether pleasant or painful – is designed to develop Christlike character.

He who waits on the Lord

will not be crushed by the weights of adversity.

Our Daily Bread – September 14, 2003