Why Hope Does Not Disappoint

 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope. 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. - Romans 5:4-5

I’m not sure I get the whole ‘glory in our sufferings’ thing - that seems a bit much. But it does make sense that for those who are willing to do the work, hardships can create opportunities for growth. If you think of the wisest, strongest people you know, I bet they all have been through some stuff. Am I right?

What stands out most to me in this passage, however, isn’t the piece on suffering and growth. It’s the piece about hope and how it doesn’t disappoint us. On Sunday, we heard this definition of hope:

All will be well in the end. If all is not well, it is not the end.

This passage in Romans is built around the idea that we can hope because God loves us with an unshakeable love. As we grow in depth with God, this conviction goes deeper in us - we are loved; God is with us. This is the kind of hope that doesn’t disappoint, even when all is not well.

Talk with Jesus about growing this sort of deep conviction in your heart. Ask him to show you how might be able to grow in that hope these days.