Rejoice in Tribulations!

Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

I was reading today on one of my favorite websites (www.desiringgod.org). A ministry by John Piper. well and i was looking for a sermon to read (as i often do when i'm bored, down, sad or whatever) and i came along this verse. I read over it once and was like yeah i like that one i've read that before then i read it again....God's word tells us to Rejoice(Exult) in tribulation.... i had to pause there. do i do that? do i rejoice when something bad happens? God tells us that tribulations (of any kind) brings about perseverance. so my troubles my heartaches my bad things whatever they may be will bring about perseverance. that means that when bad things happen and i look to God for my hope and strength and not complain or get angry or become bitter then my faith perseveres. ok then that brings about proven character. Piper uses the analogy of steel as faith and tribulations being fire. once the steel has been through the fire its 'proven' or 'genuine' or 'authentic'. so once my faith has perservered then i'm proven to be a real child of God. and after i'm proven then that brings hope! So once i've went through the fire and looked to God for strength to perservere then i'm proven to be a child of God and that gives me hope and hope doesnt disappoint. That may all sound like its our doing but then Paul tells us that God pours out his love in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Thats the hope and thats what we are to rejoice in! God love's us and will help us through whatever fire we are going through. We have to be willing to look to Him and not at the flames.