The text says, Suffering produces...
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The text says, "Suffering produces." (5:3) When pain happens in a person's life, it is not neutral. It makes things happen. It "produces."
For one it brings bitterness, cynicism, and anger with God. For another it brings sensitivity, dependence upon God, and wisdom.
Have you ever noticed what happens when you drop a potato and an egg into the same pot of boiling water? The egg gets hard--boiled while the potato gets soft. Two different things react so differently to the same experience. And it's the same with people. Two persons with cancer -- the one grows hard--boiled; the other soft; the one grows in faith; the other grows in fear and despair. And the text tells us who and what makes the difference by using words like "justified," "faith," "peace," "God," "Christ," "grace," and "rejoice."
In short, for the Christian and suffering, God has changed our nature, our insides, so that our response to suffering can produce "character," "endurance," and "hope."
For one it brings bitterness, cynicism, and anger with God. For another it brings sensitivity, dependence upon God, and wisdom.
Have you ever noticed what happens when you drop a potato and an egg into the same pot of boiling water? The egg gets hard--boiled while the potato gets soft. Two different things react so differently to the same experience. And it's the same with people. Two persons with cancer -- the one grows hard--boiled; the other soft; the one grows in faith; the other grows in fear and despair. And the text tells us who and what makes the difference by using words like "justified," "faith," "peace," "God," "Christ," "grace," and "rejoice."
In short, for the Christian and suffering, God has changed our nature, our insides, so that our response to suffering can produce "character," "endurance," and "hope."
