Sa pamamagitan ng pagsampalataya kay Jesu-Cristo, tinamasa natin ang kagandahang-loob ng Diyos, at tayo’y nagagalak dahil sa pag-asang tayo’y makakabahagi sa kanyang kaluwalhatian. Hindi lamang iyan, ikinagagalak din natin ang mga kahirapang ating tinitiis, dahil alam nating ito’y nagbubunga ng pagtitiyaga. At ang pagtitiyaga ay nagbubunga ng katatagan, at ang katatagan naman ay nagbubunga ng pag-asa.

Mga Taga-Roma 5:2–4

Paano makadarama ng kagalakan sa gitna ng matinding pagsubok? Magagalak ka ba kung namatayan ka ng isang mahal sa buhay, o kaya ay may malubhang sakit ka na, o isang kahig isang tuka ang iyong pamilya?

To rejoice in suffering does not mean we have to put on a happy face when deep inside we are hurting. Our faith in God will make us rejoice in our sufferings. It is knowing that God is with us through our ordeals to comfort us (2 Corinthians 1:3–4), strengthen us to overcome our difficulties, deepen our faith, and give us hope (James 1:2–4).

Nilo came from a poor family of 11 children. His father only earned a minimum wage. They barely had enough to make both ends meet, with no money to send all children to school. When he was in high school, his oldest brother, a graduating college student, was killed. The family was devastated. They pinned their hope on him to help ease the family’s financial burdens. But despite their difficulties, Nilo never gave up on his studies. He endured and persevered to provide a better life for his family. He earned a degree in Civil Engineering and got a good-paying job. But despite his big income, he felt empty. He sought happiness in vices but that did not fill the void in his heart. At this point, he started searching for God and found what he was looking for — an indescribable joy that money cannot buy. Ultimately, he surrendered his life to Jesus and accepted Him as his Lord and Savior. Today, Nilo and his family continue to  walk with the Lord, and he shares his blessings with those in need.