Suffering Produces Perseverance

DAILY REFLECTION - BY DR TAN TEK SENG

• 3 April 2025

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬ ‭

Christians are called to rejoice not in the suffering itself, but in the transformative character and endurance it cultivates within them.

Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission (now OMF International), dedicated 51 years of his life to sharing the Gospel in China. His journey was marked by profound trials - serious illnesses, the loss of loved ones, financial uncertainty, and cultural resistance. While such adversities might have led to despair, he chose instead to view them through the lens of faith and trust in God’s sovereign plan. For him, suffering was not a barrier, but a sacred opportunity to grow in spiritual endurance and deepen his dependence on divine grace. His unwavering commitment strengthened his faith and established an enduring legacy of missionary work, touching countless lives and inspiring generations. His life stands as a powerful testament to how suffering when embraced with faith, can produce profound strength and perseverance for God’s glory.