“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4, NIV)
For Christians living in the first-century suffering was the rule rather than the exception. Paul was encouraging the Believers in Rome and around the Empire to not lose hope in the midst of suffering and loss.
Likewise, for Christians today, we are not called to rejoice in our sufferings because we like pain or deny the tragic consequences it creates, but rather “rejoice” because we know God is using life’s difficulties to develop perseverance which, in turn, strengthens our character and deepens our faith in God.