ROMANS 5:1-5
THURSDAY | MARCH 5 2026
We know that suffering produces perseverance; . . .
and character, hope. [ROMANS 5:3-4]

STRENGTH FROM STRUGGLE
------------------------------------
Jess was getting on in years when he first heard the children's folktale about the boy and the butterfly. Right away, he understood the story's lesson on gaining strength from struggle. In the tale, a boy is given a butterfly cocoon but told not to open it. Bus as the cocoon slowly twists and shudders in his hand, the boy can't resist using scissors to split it open so the butterfly inside can escape.
Freed from the struggle, however, the butterfly falls to the ground and dies without ever flying. "What happened?" the boy cries. Jess, after a long life, understood instantly. "The boy prevented the butterfly from using the muscles needed to grow strong and fly."
The children's lesson may be a fable, but it affirms the bracing biblical truth taught by Paul to persecuted believers in Jesus in Rome: "We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope" (ROMANS 5:3-4).
Paul wasn't saying to celebrate pain or deny its heartbreak. He confirmed instead that God will use life's troubles to build our character, growing our hope in Him.
It's in His strength that God develops our trust in His overcoming power. The butterfly was cheated from growing stronger to fly. But in Christ, we can rejoice as struggles lift us with character to God our deliverer. ~PATRICIA RAYBON; ~NIV

What's your attitude regarding struggle"
How has struggle grown your trust in God?

As I face life's struggles, dear Jesus, I thank You
for building my character and trust in You.

Learn more here: odbm.org/personal-relationship-with-god

BIBLE IN A YEAR | NUMBERS 34-36; MARK 9:30-50

=======================================================================
FOR PERSONAL and FAMILY DEVOTIONS. SINCE 1956
Our Daily Bread
MARCH | APRIL | MAY 2026

He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, . . .
the Lord God Almighty is his name.
AMOS 4:13

EDITORIAL TEAM: Paul Brinkerhoff, Brianna De Man, Tom Felten, Tim Gustafson, Regie Keller, Monica La Rose, and Peggy Willison.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Scripture taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

© 2025 Our Daily Bread Ministries® All rights reserved.
Printed in USA.
VOLUME 70, NUMBER 12; VOLUME 71, NUMBER 1 & 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
You make a difference! Your support helps
Our Daily Bread Ministries Canada reach people across the
nation with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not
funded or endowed by any group or denomination.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
We want to hear from you!

Visit us at odbm.ca or write to us at:

Our Daily Bread Ministries Canada, PO Box 1622, Windsor, ON N9A 6Z7
Our Daily Bread Ministries, PO Box 2222, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2222

Email: info@odbm.ca
Phone: 1-800-668-5545

Canadian Centre for
Christian Charities
----------------------------
ACCREDITED MEMBER