Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As long as we are on this earth, hardships and tribulations come to all people when they live long enough. The important point is no matter what we go through, God has not abandoned us. However, there is a danger that we could walk away from God thinking that He has abandoned us in the first place. Paul listed the different kinds of hardships in the verse, and there are more that are not listed. It is ever more important to realise the fact and cling on to God, as many heroes of the Old Testament has done, such as Joseph, Moses, David, Elijah and so on.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

Who can be at the point of saying the above statement? The apostle Paul was one such individual, perhaps Job is another individual, and many more from Scriptures. These are mere mortals, and in many cases not too different to us. However, their deep knowledge and relationship with God ensures that they can stand their ground in the face of all sorts of calamities. Disasters may affect them, but their inner spirit being, which is who they really are, are secured deeply in God. The result is they have a confidence and peace that is beyond understanding of those who don't know the Lord.