Romans 5:3, Glory in Tribulation

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

The four blessing of being a child of God is that we can face trials in life with courage and strength. Be assured that we are not struggling alone but God is with us.

Jesus gave these words of encouragement to His disciples before He went to the cross in John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

The word “tribulation” means “being pressed to a breaking point”. The trials in the believer’s life can be so overwhelming, but Jesus assured His disciples to take courage and be confident and rest in the truth that He is with them to help them overcome and have victory.

Therefore, in the believer’s heart, there is peace, a quiet confidence that with Christ he will yet triumph. There is an interesting illustration called “Two Pictures” that help illustrates that restfulness or peace that Jesus gives:

Two painters each painted a picture to illustrate his concept of rest. The first chose for his scene a still, lone lake among far-off mountains. The second threw on his canvas a thundering waterfall, with a fragile birch tree bending over the foam; at the fork of a branch, almost wet with the cataract’s spray, a robin sat on its nest. The first was only Stagnation; the last was Rest. For in rest, there are two elements—tranquillity and energy; silence and turbulence; creation and destruction; fearfulness and fearlessness.[Drummond]

The believer is able to glory in tribulation, to not be afraid of trials and not buckle under its pressure because of God’s assured help for His children. Amen.