Romans 5:3-5
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Experience is such an interesting concept. Experience is “the knowledge or skill acquired by a period of practical experience of something, especially that gained in a particular profession.”. I especially became acquainted with this concept when I left college.
Apparently, job experience was one of the greatest things you could have that would put you ahead of the other hundreds of people handing in a similar resume. The job experience proved that you have already been made familiar with the position or the industry and you have been proven to be competent in it.
The scripture above shows how we get our experience with God. Paul declares emphatically that we experience God through tribulations, which means “great trouble or suffering”. It is through situations that would normally be difficult or impossible to bear that we get to get a first-hand experience this man that lives in our bodies. We get to see the responses of Christ and the power of His spirit in these situations. Paul said elsewhere that he rejoices in his sufferings because it is through these sufferings and hard situations that He gets to know Christ and the power of His resurrection.
So I encourage you to look favorably upon your trials today. Suffering is a great opportunity to add to your faith. It is an opportunity to experience Christ, the man that lives inside you. Let’s get to know Him today