"Not only so, but we rejoice in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces peserverance;perserverence, character; and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us,, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us." Romans 5:3-5
I have to confess that I'm scared. My health has not got any better. A colonoscopy seems probable but that does not scare me. For the first time after visiting the doctor I was actually scared. Helpless you could say. For the record, I know I have said on my blog, that there is beauty in suffering, God is Sovereign. It's somewhat discouraging to say that the seriousness of my health when highligted by a doctor, I withered. This passage in Romans gives me hope, comfort and encouragement.
Paul says REJOICE and I'll say it again REJOICE. Though my suffering is not related to anything emotional or spiritual, I have to rejoice for my physical suffering. I guess, I was'nt the complete character. For this very reason I will rejoice because in my distress, God will help me build character.
Secondly, Hope does not dissapoint because "God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us." Paul goes on to say in the next couple verses, about the hope that does not disappoint. In the next verse (v6) he tells us that "at just the right time, when were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." Verse 7, 8 gives me hope "but God demonstrates his own love for us in this:While we were sinners, Christ died for us." That very hope, is accompanied with the joy that God no longer condemns us.We posses peace, because Christ death on the cross gave us eternal life (v10).
Jars of Clay wrote a song about rejoicing in our suffering, even when its difficult. I have listened to the track many times for encouragement but I'll know by the end of my pain, health problems, colonoscopy, "I Will Sing of His Mercy, that leads me through valleys of sorrows to rivers of joy."
You have led me to the sadness
I have carried this pain
On a back bruised, nearly broken
I'm crying out to you
Chorus
I will sing of Your mercy
That leads me through valleys of sorrow
To rivers of joy
Verse 2
When death like a Gypsy
Comes to steal what I love
I will still look to the heavens
I will still seek your face
But I fear you aren't listening
Because there are no words
Just the stillness and the hunger
For a faith that assures
Chorus
Alleluia, alleluiaAlleluia, alleluia
Verse 3
While we wait for rescue
With our eyes tightly shut
Face to the ground using our hands
To cover the fatal cut
And though the pain is an ocean
Tossing us around, around, around
You have calmed greater waters
Higher mountains have come down
Chorus
Yeah
Alleluia, alleluiaAlleluia, alleluiaAlleluia, alleluia alleluia, alleluiaAlleluia, alleluia alleluia, alleluia
Chorus (4 Xs) ... Oh, Lord sing of Your mercy,MercyYour mercy
-Lloyd
Doing Okay at the moment, I guess. I have days when I don't have the strength to get out of bed and then there are days we're I'll loathe in pain. Depressed? Maybe, but after buying Jars of Clay, Who we are Instead was a pleasant distraction. In fact it was refreshing. Musically, does not get better than this. Whether you're a fan or not (My unbiased rating, just remember Tree 63 is my ultimate followed by Switchfoot etc.) this album deserves 10/10. 
