Romans 5:1-5 ESV
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Three effects of afflictions:

1. PERSEVERANCE

Suffering produces endurance. God is an endurance coach.

2. CHARACTER

Character isn’t developed in a sprint. Character is developed through perseverance!

3. HOPE

The Christian life begins with hope in the promises of God in the gospel, and it spirals up through affliction to more and more hope.

Romans 5:5
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Listen to what you DO have… because you have been justified by faith, you have 

1. Peace with God through Jesus Christ.

2. Access to his grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of glory.

3. And not only in that future glory, but we rejoice in that which builds our hope, even the testing of our faith through suffering.