“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”Romans 5:3-4(ESV)
Change is not always easy. But you can always be grateful for the changes God is making in you.
Why? Because no matter what you go through, God can use it to change you for the better.
Romans 5:3-4 says, “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (ESV).
Do you feel joyful when you experience hard changes in life? Probably not all the time. But God wants you to experience joy because he is building your character—and character is the only thing you’re taking with you to heaven.
You’re not taking your career or your money. You’re not taking your reputation or your hobbies. You’re not taking your clothes, your TV, or your car. You could spend your whole life acquiring things and stockpiling possessions on earth. But the only thing that’s going to heaven is you—the person you’ve become while on earth.
Building your character is so important that God will use everything, even the pain in your life, to make you more like him—full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the things God wants to build into your life as you persevere.
While your circumstances and other people may be working against you, “God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13 NLT). And “as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him” (2 Corinthians 3:18 TLB).
You are not all you should be yet. But you can praise God that he is changing you, making you into more of what you canbe because of his grace.
By God’s grace, you are not what you used to be. By God’s grace, who you are today is because of him. And by God’s grace, you are not yet who you will be—he is still at work in you.
Rick Warren is an innovative pastor, renowned author, and global influencer known for founding Saddleback Church, the Purpose Driven Network, the PEACE Plan, and Hope for Mental Health. He has written several best-selling books, including The Purpose Driven Life, which has sold over 35 million copies in 200 languages. Time magazine named Warren the most influential spiritual leader in America and one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Since stepping down from the lead pastor role at Saddleback in 2022, Warren has continued to inspire people through his Daily Hope Devotional and podcast Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope. His first book in a decade, Created to Dream, was released in April 2023.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Your Gift Brings Hope to the World
Ground Yourself in God’s Word and Discover the Path to True Happiness
Scripture memorization is a powerful tool to help you remember God’s promises, principles, and the purposes he has for you.
That’s why Pastor Rick created the TheHabits of HappinessScripture card set—with 52 key verses from his teaching series, The Habits of Happiness, that will help you discover God’s path to true and lasting happiness.
These colorful, eye-catching cards make it easy to memorize the Word of God so you have it when you need it most.
We'll send you the The Habits of Happiness Scripture cards to say thanks for your gift below to share the hope of Jesus Christ with people around the world through Daily Hope.
So request the cards now—and experience the true happiness God wants for you!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of “current offer” materials you received from Daily Hope.
