How your suffering can lead to hope
November 10, 2010
More than that, 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
There was a little boy who had a pet caterpillar. One day he saw the caterpillar making a silk cocoon and asked, "Mommy, what's he doing?" So his mom replied, "He's going to sleep for awhile in his cocoon and become a butterfly!"
Eventually, the hard cocoon began to shake and the new butterfly began to break through. As the boy and his mom watched, he said, "That looks so hard. I want to help him!" "No," the mom said, "If you help him, he won't be strong enough to fly when he gets out and he'll die. It's the struggle that makes him strong."
When you encounter difficulties in your life, your immediate reaction can be, "God, get me out of this!" But like that butterfly, it's the struggle that gives you the strength to live a life of character that God wants.
And that character is what produces the hope that you have. Suffering helps you to view your life in light of eternity, knowing that the hard times you face today are only temporary.
So when you are brought to a season of suffering in your life, understand that it's meant to build a longing in you for a day when all suffering will cease... when God makes all things right!
WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTIES, REMIND YOURSELF THAT GOD WILL ONE DAY MAKE ALL THINGS RIGHT.
For more from PowerPoint Ministries and Dr. Jack Graham, please visit www.jackgraham.org
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Listen to Dr. Jack Graham's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com.
Watch Jack Graham and Powerpoint Ministries Video Online.
MY GIFT TO YOU!
Straight Up
Dear Friend,
I sincerely hope you will request my 10-message series called Straight Up, where I tackle 10 tough questions we all face. Like "When Does Life Begin?" and "Can Love Last a Lifetime?", "Can You Trust the Bible?", and "Are All Religions the Same?"
After listening, you'll be more equipped to live a confident life, knowing the truth and trusting the promises of Christ!
Thank you for giving to help PowerPoint continue to share the transforming power of Jesus!! --Jack Graham 
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