Nobody enjoys suffering, but that does not mean that there is no value in it.  Suffering can sometimes be helpful.  The Psalmist realized this.

Psalm 119:67 (ESV)
⁶⁷  Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word…. ⁷¹  It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

In Romans 5, Paul shares with us why suffering can be of value to us if we receive it properly.

Romans 5:3-4 (ESV)
³  Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.

The value of suffering is seen in what it can produce in the heart of one who loves the Lord.  First, Paul says that it produces endurance.  Endurance is a needed characteristic in the Christian’s race for the crown of life.  Just because you obeyed the gospel does not mean you are going to make it to heaven.  Many have entered the race of Christianity and quit before they reached the goal.  Why?  They lacked the endurance to finish the course.    Having endurance is critical to our salvation and Paul tells us that it is produced by suffering.

Next, Paul tells us that endurance produces character.   The Greek word for character here refers to character that has been proven.  Therefore, the American Standard Version translates the word “approvedness” and the New American Standard Version puts it all together and translates it “proven character.”  When we endure the trials and tribulations of life by continuing to walk faithfully before God, it proves that we have the kind of character that pleases Him; thus, we are approved of Him.  Man may not always approve of us, but if we find God’s approval, nothing else matters.

In all your endeavors in life, in all of your goals and aspirations, your primary purpose should be to be approved by God (2 Corinthians 4:1-4).  Is there any evidence in life that God approves of us?  Yes, Paul says it is our ability to endure trials.  We know the commandments of God, and we know whether we continue to keep them when we suffer.  If we endure, we know that God is pleased and that He approves of our character.

What does having an approved character do for us?  Paul says it produces hope.  So, we have come full circle, haven’t we?  We rejoice in hope and our hope is verified and strengthened when we suffer in life and pass the test of endurance.

Can you see the value of suffering?  In the end, it leads to the hope of eternal life, but only if we have the right attitude when it comes.  If we quit, obviously we will not be saved in the end.  If we decide to keep going no matter what, the suffering will strengthen our faith and lead us to glory.

1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV)
⁶  In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷  so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Next time you find yourself going through a tough time in life, remember this teaching from Paul.  Continue running the race and God will approve your character now, and give you a home in glory after a while.  Remember, whatever we suffer now, cannot be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us when Jesus returns.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things