Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. —Romans 5:3-4
What are you living to produce with your life? Wealth, fame, status, significance, legacy? How about character? Isn’t having the character of God our real goal in life? Perseverance, character, and hope can help us forge a stronger faith as we live for Jesus under the pressure and heat directed at us from the evil one and his demonic forces of evil. Even in our suffering, hardships, and persecution, nothing can steal our desired goal from us — developing the character of God as we live for Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit are transformed to become JESUS shaped (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).