The Christian is able through suffering and tribulation to boast, to glory even to rejoice in their trials and afflictions. This is only possible because as the Christian enters into the fire and flames of affliction he enters in with the Lord Jesus. The 'we' who glory in tribulations in Romans chapter 5 are also the we who have peace with God, the 'we' who are justified and the we who have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand. Through suffering we take upon us the yolk of the Lord Jesus and we learn of Him. He proves faithful in our suffering, strengthening that bond of love which is experienced more and more as the problems of life press in upon us. For the Christian suffering has meaning, is transformed by the Grace of God and brings us into a vital experience of the Lord Jesus. An experience of Christ in suffering inspires hope for the future in the same one who has loved us from beginning to end. There is a reason that God molds our character in suffering: It is all of Grace It is all of God It is all of Glory
Dr J Stewart Gillespie
Systematic teaching from the book of Romans.