”3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:3-4New International Version (NIV)
Romans 5:3-4 Devotional (Verse of the Day)
Finding Thanksgiving in Trials
Romans 5:3-4 challenges us to a deeper kind of thanksgiving—a gratitude that persists even in suffering. It invites us to see trials not as setbacks, but as sacred opportunities for growth, endurance, and the strengthening of hope. Because Thanksgiving often comes easily when life is good. But what about when the path is rough, the answers are delayed, and the pain is prolonged?
1. Rejoicing in Suffering?
At first glance, this verse feels counterintuitive. Why rejoice in suffering? Because for the believer, pain is never pointless. God uses it to shape us. Thanksgiving, then, becomes an act of faith—thanking God not just for deliverance, but for the transformation process itself.
2. The Chain Reaction of Growth
Paul lays out a beautiful sequence:
Suffering → Endurance
Endurance → Character
Character → Hope
Each stage builds on the last. Without suffering, we would lack endurance; without endurance, character would remain undeveloped; and without character, our hope would be shallow. But with all three, hope becomes deeply rooted—and that’s something to be grateful for.
3. A Hope That Doesn’t Disappoint
True hope in Christ is never empty. It doesn’t disappoint because it’s anchored in the reality of God’s love, which He has poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit—our comforter, teacher, and strength in weakness. That’s why we can give thanks even in the storm.
4. Thanksgiving as a Faith Declaration
To say “Thank You, Lord” in the middle of suffering is to declare, “I trust You.” It’s an act of worship that honors God’s sovereignty and welcomes His grace. Gratitude in trials changes our posture—it lifts our eyes from the problem to the Provider.
A Personal Note
There was a time I walked through loss and confusion, feeling like the ground had disappeared beneath me. Yet it was in that valley that this verse, Romans 5:3-4, became real. I began to thank God not for the pain, but for the nearness of His presence in it. Over time, I saw how endurance was being forged in me—and with it, a quiet, unshakable hope.
Reflection
- In what area of your life are you struggling to give thanks?
- How have past trials produced endurance or growth in you?
- What would it look like to rejoice today, not despite suffering, but because of what God is doing through it?
Prayer/Blessing
Father, thank You that You never waste a trial. Teach me to rejoice even in hardship, trusting that You are building something beautiful in me. Help me give thanks not only for what You do but for who You are. Strengthen my endurance, refine my character, and deepen my hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Call to Action
Start a gratitude list today. Write down five things you’re thankful for—even from difficult seasons. Revisit it when you’re feeling weary. Let it remind you that your hope in Christ will never put you to shame.
Additionally:
- Check out today’s Daily Bible Reading Psalms 27-31
- Find out How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners)
- Read about trusting God’s process in Psalm 119:105 – Wisdom and Light.
- Explore a devotional on James 1:2-4 – Joy in Trials.
- Learn how obedience matures your faith in Philippians 2:12 – Working Out Salvation.
