Purpose in the Pain: Strong Character

”The will of God is love. And love suffers.”  – Elizabeth Elliot 

Love suffers. You, as a Hope Mommy, know this better than most anyone else. You were called to love, and you were called to suffer. 

You are not alone. Jesus was also called to love and suffer. Because He loved us, He suffered on the cross and overcame the world. Jesus did not overcome the world with violence or with money or with political power. Jesus overcame with world with suffering. John 16:33

As daughters of God and co-heirs with Christ, we are to follow Him. We are to bear our own crosses; we are to suffer with Jesus. 

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:16-17

“But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.” 1 Peter 2:20-21

But this suffering does not leave us alone—it does not leave us destitute—it does not leave us empty-handed or empty-hearted. Through the Holy Spirit, it brings us fullness of life! The suffering we endure opens our eyes to God and how much we need Him. It changes our hearts. Our hearts grow in empathy, appreciation, patience, and love. When God meets us in the doubt, fear, and anger of hardship, our faith, peace, and hope are strengthened. And during those moments when we feel weakest, His power is made perfect and He is our strength. The suffering equips us to follow Christ in new ways—ways that we may not have been able to before.Through suffering, He builds our character, much like a muscle is strengthened with resistance training. 

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

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

This is your cross to bear; this is your calling. But you are not alone! Jesus is with you in your suffering. He comforts you. He will provide you with all you need to not only endure, but to join in His glory as disciples and co-heirs!

“For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” 2 Corinthians 1:5

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Aimee lives in Cary, North Carolina with her husband Daniel. They moved there from Oklahoma in January 2018. Aimee is Hope Mom to her beautiful daughter Ginny Hope who was born February 26, 2019. She and Daniel are learning to trust God and move forward in their grief day by day. You can read more at her blog.

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