I found God's reassurance again this morning. In Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
I realise that sufferings isn't something we should trudge through with complaints and moans about how bad life is. Paul said that we should "glory in our sufferings". I take that to mean that we should delight or rejoice in our sufferings, primarily because there is an end result that is glorious, and that is the eternal hope found in Christ.
I want to remember the refinement I am going through is to produce perseverance, character and hope in me. I know if I stick through it, I will rejoice at the end.
