Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Hope
I am not overly fond of painting houses. Perhaps because I have fallen off ladders, been attacked by bees, overstretched muscles, and spilled paint in hard-to-clean places. These aspects of painting MIGHT cause me to be afraid of warming up the scrapers and paintbrushes…
But I am not afraid of painting houses. Because I have seen the result of the hard work. I have seen the result of the discomfort. I have seen the result of the tedium, soreness, and exhaustion. In fact, while I get dirty, get sore, and get tired, I have found that I can endure… because of the expected end result.
Painted houses look nice!
Life is hard. Even on the other side of fear, troubles still remain. Christians still have financial troubles, relationship issues, physical trials, and sleepless nights. We still suffer.
We have learned, maybe, to not fear the dark… but what do we do now instead of fear?
Paul tells us to purposefully, consciously, patiently hope. Hope, for Paul, does not mean to smile innocently and sing happy songs no matter our struggles. Hope, for Paul, means knowing that however difficult our circumstances, God is at work. Hope, for Paul, means looking ahead to the glorious result God promises.
God is doing something great. God is doing something that produces endurance, character, and hope. God is doing something that will result in peace, contentment, and joy.
Fear not, then hope.