“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, 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 (NIV)

Anyone whose focus is on our Heavenly Father will be able to endure hardship. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22b, NIV2) If that doesn’t occur in our lifetime, something is amiss.

Strangely enough, when this occurs, we draw closer to our Father, and we discover that He truly sustains us throughout our hardship. We end up stronger than ever, rejoicing that we were considered worthy to suffer for the cause of our Father.

At times, however, we tend to get discouraged. If only we could peak behind the spiritual curtain, we would discover that our Father is the One who is holding us up, surrounding us with his love. We are never alone! No wonder we end up rejoicing!

More often than not, I, too, face calamities. I truly have my fair share!  At one occasion, I received a CO-OP student that had a lot of potential, but insisted on doing minimal work. All I could do was to encourage her and guide her in worthwhile endeavors.

She must have seen me as a tyrant, for she offered a lot of opposition. In fact, she turned my teaching year into a real burden. Strangely enough this drove me closer to my Father, as He was the One who sustained me. I conversed with Him every night, and He gave me the necessary sustenance to persevere.

I had the choice to reassign her to someone else, but I refused to even consider that option. My Father isn’t a quitter, and I shouldn’t be either!

Through hard times I tried, thanks to the guidance of my Father, to be what I should be: a light in a gloomy world and a witness of the Most High.

Many years later I was surprised when that same CO-OP student showed up with her fiancé. It was important to her for my wife and I to be part of her wedding! I was touched to the innermost being. All that adversity had not been in vain! I had somehow made a difference in her life, without me ever knowing it! Wow! Thank you Father!

This is the main reason why we should be rejoicing at all times, even amidst turmoil. When people make our life miserable, we are offered an opportunity to show who we really are: Children of the Most High!

“Hey, I am facing unimaginable calamities.”

Either you complain about that problem, or you rejoice at the opportunity that it brings. What will your choice be?

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Majestic Mountain View” devotional series, please click here.)