I can't stop thinking about this (see Rejoicing in Suffering). I had just begun to make sense of those two sentences beginning with "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our suffering..." when I wrote the previous post. But it's been necessary, helpful and even exciting for me to continue processing it. So here is my own personalized paraphrase of Romans 5:3-5:
Not only [do I rejoice in the hope of the glory of God], but I rejoice in my sufferings, knowing that, as I persevere in trusting that God is good, that He has a plan, and that He is using my pain to work out His plan for me; in obeying His commands; and in following Him to the best of my ability each day, His own character is growing in me, and I am becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. And that gives me such great hope, such exciting hope, because I know my hope will be fulfilled! After all, God has poured out His love in my heart by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given me. And it is through His Holy Spirit that perseverance, character and hope are growing in me.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ." Ephesians 1:3
