Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.” — Corrie ten Boom.
The mark of maturity is not the number of years you have been a Christian. It is not the depth of our theological knowledge; it is not even the number of hours we pray, preach or serve – Maturity is marked by the way we go through suffering. Joyful endurance of painful circumstances, patience in the peril and persistence in prayer are the authentications of maturity. It does not mean that we must not cry, it only means that we will not complain.
Joyfulness in the suffering comes from the hope that we have in Christ Jesus. Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27b). The hope beyond hope is Christ Himself. When all hope fails and the dark doom closes in, Christ becomes the hope that keeps us joyful. Secondly, the true test of patience is in the affliction. We want the agony to vanish swiftly. When the burden gets too heavy to bear, our human nature wants to flee and fly away to the ends of the earth to hide. Patience will be measured by our reactions and expressions. It is perfectly alright to cry on the shoulders of our Father. When Jesus was in distress at the Garden of Gethsemane, an angel came to strengthen Him. And an angel from Heaven appeared, strengthening him (Luke 22:43). Running to His presence will help us to go through the affliction patiently. Lastly, remaining faithful in prayer will make us stronger in faith through the suffering. We will not drench our pillow with tears, but will only wet our prayer-closet with prayers.
Three simple rules to build Resolute Resilience:
1. Praise: Praise makes the living streams within us bubble. We cannot rejoice about everything that happens in our life but we can always praise God for His unfailing love through the suffering. Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation” (Psalm 50:23). Praise changes the ethos from mourning to joy.
2. Persevere: Frustration makes people impatient and erupts as rage like a violent volcano. We want everything to happen in our time and our way. However, patience is soldered as we surrender to God’s ways.
3. Pray: Pray more when you hear the demonic voice screaming, “Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9). Retaliate back to the diabolical noises of doubt and disbelief, “Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” (Job 2:10). Increase your prayer time; go on a fast and until the dark cloud of suffering dissipates. Faithful prayer brings victory.
Suffering is to sanctify us and not to sink us into the deep sea. So, be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.
James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Prayer: Compassionate Saviour, help me to mature through the pain and suffering by remaining joyful, patient and prayerful. Amen.
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