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 5:3-5

In the years that I have been in ministry, I have had the great privilege to pray for the members of our congregation on a regular basis. As I sift through prayer requests and intercede with them, I notice one thing about people's prayer requests -- that they could be broken down into three different categories.

These categories are provision, protection and providence. Our members, and most likely every Christian, will often find themselves praying for material and financial provision, God's hedge of protection from sickness and harm, and providence in their work, studies or family.

Never have I seen anyone pray for more suffering and challenges. And who would? We don't like the idea of challenges and suffering. In fact, many of us will pray for deliverance from suffering and challenges the moment they come.

However, the Bible makes it clear that suffering is actually good, and as absurd as the concept may seem, the apostle Paul encourages us to rejoice in suffering. God wants us to throw parties and jump around in joy because of our sufferings! After all, that was always what the context of rejoicing was in Hebrew and Greek culture.

The Bible implies that we are to be excited about sufferings because of the good that it brings to us. Romans 5:3-5 tells us that suffering produces endurance, character and hope.

I am also not suggesting that praying for blessing and prosperity is bad. God also instructs us to pray for our daily bread and for his joy and goodness. God wants us to be blessed, but He also wants us to suffer.

It doesn't mean that God wants us to be sad and depressed. In fact, God calls us to "rejoice in suffering" because of the great things that suffering produces. Sure we can pray for more success and finances but when God offers to us suffering -- whether we pray for it or not -- it produces endurance, character and hope, which will always leads to more success and finances.

We don't have to ask our pastors to pray that we suffer. In fact, I urge you not to, but that's the beauty of God's grace: He gives us what we need and what makes us better even when we don't want it. That's what it means for God to make all things work together for our good.

Suffering is a gift from God, and one that we must rejoice in and maximize. If you are suffering today, continue to allow God to grow perseverance, character and hope in you.