Scripture(Romans 5:2-4) ... And we rejoice [literally, its meaning includes boast] in the hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice [boast] in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope....
Observation
Trapped and crushed at the bottom of all human experience is suffering--and no human has a pass to escape that sort of experience. From this universally dreaded low is also a universally accessible route of escape. This Scripture describes a sequence of perceptual shifts that--for the person who decides to travel that route--will unblock an ability to defiantly, arrogantly, mock the pain. Despite the temporary, present pain, people with this hope in Christ can confidently expect to someday stand triumphant with Christ above and apart from that suffering--and even in the midst of suffering His people can rightfully take that posture of boasting.
Application (Personal)
How can I know my present pain has purpose or value? How can I trust that it will produce that strength of endurance and beauty of Christ-like character within my own personality? Paul's paragraph explains: If I want immovable rejoicing, I must have steadfast hope in God's glory (5:2b); if I want that hope, I must have access to His grace (5:2a); if I want that grace, I must have peace with God (5:1b); if I want that peace, I must be justified by having my guilt and condemnation removed (5:1a); if I want that removed, Jesus Christ must remove it; and finally, if I want to experience the removal of that from my life, I must have faith in Him (5:1a).
Application (Psychological)
I agree with Paul that apart from the revelation of Jesus Christ there is no intellectual system that is comprehensive or psychologically-sociologically satisfactory (albeit that is my language, not his). Yet without any references to this biblical perspective, Barbara Fredrickson, a psychologist who researches resiliency and positivity, wrote of hope in a way that is consistent with this Christian experience (Positivity, 2009, pp. 117-119): "Because negative emotions narrow your range of vision, a downward spiral cuts a dark and lonely path that insulates you further and further from the healing touch of community. Upward spirals are altogether different. Because positive emotions expand your range of vision, upward spirals ... clear your path, your mind and heart become more fully open to connect with caring others....
As I see it, there are two basic responses to hardship. Despair or hope. In despair, you multiply your negativity. Your fear and uncertainty can turn into stress. Your stress can morph into hopeless sadness, which in turn can breed shame. Worse than this mushrooming negativity, despair smothers and snuffs out all forms of positivity. With positivity extinguished, all possibilities for genuine connection with others are lost. Despair opens the gate to a downward spiral that may well lead you to rock bottom. Hope different. It's not a mirror reflection of despair. Your hope, in fact, acknowledges negativity with clear eyes. More important though, your hope kindles further positivity within you. Even more subtle shades of hope can be a springboard for you to feel love, gratitude, inspiration, and more.... So hope opens the gate to an upward spiral that empowers you to bounce back from hardship and emerge even stronger and more resourceful than before."
Prayer
Lord, I am so thankful that the plot of my life has had relatively little suffering when I compare my troubles with what others have experienced. I can't explain or justify it, but I'm still glad. Nonetheless, I ask You to make me increasingly more faithful, steadfast, hopeful, merciful, and patient--and these qualities seem forged best in difficult circumstances. I can't boast in my ability to manage pain, but I can boast in Your unfailing love as I ask this of You.
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