Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:1, 3-5
Suffering … Endurance … Character … Hope.
As we begin our journey through Lent, these verses from Paul remind us that Lent focuses not only on the suffering of Jesus, but the struggles of life, and the struggles and challenges to faith.
Many Christians practice fasting or some other denial of the body during Lent. We much prefer a life of ease and a contented stomach. Life does not always provide either.
The 40 days of Lent remind us of times in the desert. If we can’t avoid those times, we hope to at least shorten them—we hope for and look for the quick fix. Lent reminds us that anything that is important and meaningful involves challenge, struggle, and sacrifice.
Jesus predicts His death. Satan tempts Jesus with quick fixes and short-cuts to avoid the hard work of salvation in the suffering and death of the cross. The peace we have with God in Christ does not mean everything we experience in following Him is easy and without cost. But in our sufferings, we see the benefits as God grows us, challenging both individuals, families, and families of faith.
We often want to avoid those struggles. We often try to protect our children and loved ones from challenges, but children and adults need challenges. It is not always fun, but God uses it to strengthen us and our faith.
God is at work. In His grace given, He supplies faith. Faith is His gift, with no work or goodness or conviction provided by us. It is the work of God’s Spirit bestowed through the suffering and death of Jesus.
Then He goes to work in strengthening and exercising that faith.
Suffering → Perseverance → Character → Hope
Hope that doesn’t disappoint.
Anything significant involves challenges, struggles, and sacrifice—be it friendship, marriage, parenting, school, high school sports, the Olympics, or our walk with Christ. He loves you just the way you are. You are fully accepted by Him and at peace with God through Him. And He challenges you in the exercise of faith.
He doesn’t strengthen our faith just to give us more faith in our faith, but to give us greater security in His unconditional love.
We live in constant tension between the trials of life and the peace and rest of God. In this tension God gives us the right equipment of His Word and Sacraments and the fellowship of believers to strengthen our faith and bless others.
May this season of Lent bestow upon you His peace and strength.
Rev. Richard Snow, President, Nebraska District LCMS
Originally printed in the February 2022 Nebraska District Reporter