Living in the Spirit

June 16, 2023

Scripture Reading: Romans 5:1-8

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. –Romans 5:1-5

I experience endurance in the reality of arthritis that I have had since I was 22 when I contracted Strep A. I have had a long relationship with Capsaicin and Osteo-By Flex. In 2008, I had my first knee replacement surgery. Character is defined as a distinctive differentiating mark*. We are all unique, so I must think that character does not change us but allows our uniqueness to be shaped in a special way where we take in the world about us differently. We have a choice of developing that special way as a positive part of our life or negative. Choosing positivity is where hope is grown. God must be a very hopeful being as God looks out over us, watching us grow in spirit and truth.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for providing the Holy Spirit to be with us when we struggle to choose hope instead of despair. Amen.

*https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/character

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.