Tempering

^“3And not only that, but we^* also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. “ Romans 5:3-5 NRSV

These verses were part of the second reading for this past Sunday (Romans 5:1-11 if you want to read the whole thing). They lay between two sets of verses I’ve focused upon frequently in teaching and preaching, but I have to admit, I’ve usually skimmed over these particular verses to ‘get’ to the others.

Not so this time through. In reading this lesson, these verses jumped out.  I decided to try what I’ve done before in sermon prep, and check out another translation.  Here’s how Eugene Peterson translated it in the paraphrase Bible The Message:

^“There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!” Romans 5:3-5  The Message

What jumps out for you in these passages? 

The phrase that really ‘popped’ for me today was “tempered steel”. Now, I’ve heard of it before, but really can’t explain it, so I did some research.   It was hard to find a definition that didn’t take me into the depths of metallurgy, but here is a basic definition- heating steel for a length of time at high temperatures so that it actually changes the structure of the steel.  Being tempered involves a lot of heat but it is important and valuable for the steel to go through that process.  If the blacksmith removes the steel before it is finished, it will be weaker than it was before.  In tempering the steel is made stronger, more pliable, more resilient, and more valuable.

Folks, I believe the encouragement in this passage is that God utilizes our struggles to shape us into people who are stronger, more resilient, and transformed to the core.   This passage encourages us to embrace the ‘tempering’ of our lives in whatever form those struggles take and to move into and through it, for God is at work. 

If these words would have come from anyone other than St. Paul, I would have been skeptical, however, St. Paul is one who knew suffering and tempering throughout his life and ministry. What he is saying comes first-hand from his experience.  It is an encouragement for us to await with expectancy what God will do through us next.

It is funny how God works…I Googled the term “tempered steel” this morning, and along with definitions I also came across a group that supports wounded veterans.  The word on their web page is “The stories behind the scars, uniting wounded warriors with the public through dialog.”  The visit to their web page was inspiration and moving and I’ve attached the link here: http://www.temperedsteelinc.org/  as well as at the bottom of this blog.  This link was a delightful find which actually fits magnificently with what the passage was talking about.

These people exemplify a patient expectancy of what God may do next through them.

Today I encourage us all to look to those who model what it is to go through the tempering of suffering.  I ask you to look at your own life—how have past struggles shaped you?  How might this present struggle be reforming you into someone who is stronger, more resilient, and of great value to those you touch?

Dear Lord, it is a challenge for us to see struggles as a tempering process. Help us to see how you have worked in our lives and in others to strengthen, and reshape during times of suffering. Shape us by your loving hand.  Amen.