J. Oswald Sanders' book, Spiritual Leadership, suggests that three elements bring about spiritual growth or maturity: sovereignty, servanthood, and suffering. God uses suffering, stress, and burdens to bring about spiritual renewal or renovation. The apostle Paul often felt he was on the brink of death by his affliction, but he did not despair because his inner spiritual self was being renewed or renovated on a day by day basis, perfecting the holy righteous character which would ultimately result in a spiritual offspring of God Almighty. The trials of life are tools God uses to mature us. The basic purposes of suffering are that we comfort those who are suffering, that we do not trust in ourselves, and that many would give thanks to God. Renovation is chaotic and stressful, but in the end we have a beautiful product.