I love the Rocky movies. As hard as it is to watch my film hero get beaten almost to the point of death, I can handle it because I know how the story ends.
So why is it so difficult to trust the Author of my story—especially when Scripture assures me it will end in victory?
Romans 8:17b says, “. . . if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” This means struggles in life are not meaningless; they are part of God’s greater plan. But how do we see these struggles turn into success?
One way is to live like a child of God. Romans 8:17a says, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” Galatians 4:5 tells us that God sent Jesus to “buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.”
Paul’s words reflect Roman adoption laws in his time. In Roman adoption, all past debts were erased, the adoptee received a new name and full family rights, and they became an heir to everything their new father owned.
Spiritual adoption is no different. Before Christ, we owed an unpayable debt because of sin. But when we accept Jesus, that debt is canceled. We gain a new identity, authority over sin and fear, and the right to an eternal inheritance.
To know if we’re living as God’s children, we must ask: Do I approach God with confidence, knowing He loves me? Do I live in freedom, or am I weighed down by shame? Do I endure suffering with hope, trusting in future glory?
Another way we turn struggles into success is by waiting in hope instead of despair. Waiting in hope means shifting our perspective. When overwhelmed by suffering, we remember it’s temporary. When we see brokenness in the world, we trust restoration is coming. When discouraged, we cling to the promise that God is making all things new.
Romans 8:18 assures us, “Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” No matter how painful the moment, it is only a chapter in a greater story of redemption!
To see struggles turn to successes, we also need to lean on the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:26-27 calls the Holy Spirit our Helper, revealing how He strengthens us. When we feel weak, He empowers us. When we don’t know what to do, He guides us. When we’re tempted to give up, He reminds us of God’s promises.
We lean on the Holy Spirit by reading God’s Word, which helps us recognize His voice. We also pray—not just speaking to God, but listening for His guidance.
The struggles we face are never wasted. When we live as God’s children, wait with hope, and lean on the Holy Spirit, we will see our struggles turn into success. Victory is coming!
