~ Romans 5:3–5
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Suffering is never easy, especially when it involves sickness, pain, or weakness in the body. It’s natural to ask, “Why would God allow this?” The truth is, God does not cause sickness. There was no disease in Eden, and there will be none in Heaven. Sickness exists because we live in a fallen world, where sin has distorted God’s good design and the enemy still seeks to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). Sometimes we also reap the results of our own choices—whether in diet, lifestyle, or neglect of health.
But here is the hope: while God doesn’t send sickness, He never wastes our suffering. Paul reminds us that when trials come, God can use them to produce something beautiful.
Suffering produces endurance. Endurance (Greek: hypomonē) means steadfastness, the ability to remain under pressure without giving up. Illness or hardship can teach us persistence in prayer, resilience in faith, and patience in waiting for God’s timing.
Endurance produces character. The word for character (dokimē) means proven, tested, refined like gold in fire. Just as pressure reveals the strength of metal, trials reveal what our faith is truly made of. Even in sickness, we can develop deeper trust, humility, and compassion.
Character produces hope. Hope here is not wishful thinking but confident expectation rooted in God’s promises. Suffering strips away false hopes and teaches us to anchor our hearts in Christ—the One who promises eternal life where sickness will be no more.
And this hope, Paul says, “does not put us to shame.” Why? Because it’s not empty. It is grounded in the love of God, poured into us by the Holy Spirit. Even when the body is weak, the Spirit within us is strong, reminding us that we are loved, never abandoned, and destined for glory.
So how do we apply this to biblical health? First, we pursue health as stewardship, not as an idol. We avoid choices that harm the body, we practice wisdom in diet, rest, and lifestyle—but we also recognize that no matter how carefully we live, suffering in this world is unavoidable. When it comes, we don’t blame God. Instead, we lean on Him to redeem it. Our weakness becomes the canvas for His strength, our trials the soil for endurance, character, and hope.
Prayer: Father, thank You that You are not the author of sickness, but You are the Redeemer of suffering. Teach me to endure with faith, to grow in character, and to live with hope, even in seasons of weakness. Fill me with Your Spirit so that Your love sustains me through every trial. Amen.
