Hope

Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

You would think the best way to find hope is to have a trouble-free life. No, the best way to find hope is through the crises of life. In Romans 5:3–5 we read, “But we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

There it is in bold red print: tribulation produces perseverance…perseverance (produces) character…character (produces) hope. God has made provision for us to be a bunch of hopeful, character-filled folks persevering through tribulation! That's a lot to be thankful for in my book. Consider the alternative…**shudder**…a despondent, fearful, weak soul falling with every wave of tribulation. NO, THANKS! I’ll take that Hope, Character & Perseverance every time, glory be to God above!

Hope is going to come through hardship. So when a Christian suffers and still glorifies God, it reassures the rest of us there never will be a valley so deep that God will not get us through it.