Glory in Tribulations
Café Menu for Thursday, July 23, 2015
Today’s Special is: When the Going Gets Tough, Christians Get Tougher
Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Carolyn Dale Newell
Main Ingredient:
… but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:3-4 NKJV
Entrée:
Nobody likes to go through seasons of pain, nor do we want to see anyone else suffer. The word “tribulation” carries the idea of being squeezed. That is a good description.
Isn’t that how it feels when we go through times of distress?
We feel squeezed when we have too little money, when our children forsake us, when we face terminal illness, or when we lose a loved one.
How can we glory during these dark, stormy days?
Paul tells us that tribulations produce perseverance - patience, a fruit of the Spirit. It is also called “longsuffering” (Gal. 5:22). James writes,
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience, but let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4 NKJV
In God’s economy, patience is a hot commodity, and we dreadfully lack it.
As Christians go through difficulties, building patience, we learn some things. We marvel at the way God gets us through every trying circumstance. Therefore, we mature spiritually, building character and becoming more like Christ. When the next storm comes along, we know our trust in God will never disappoint us (Romans 5:5).
Our hope is two-fold. As children of God, we not only have the confidence that God will bring us through tribulations, but we also have the hope of eternal glory. Jesus Christ is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1). Like the clearing sky on the horizon after a storm, we can look toward the glories of heaven that await us.
What are you facing today?
God is strengthening you. He’s teaching you patience, and He is building your character into exactly what He wants you to be. You are not without hope. Give Him glory for the work He is accomplishing through your tribulations.
Take Out:
Read Romans 5:1-5.
Patience is something we need every day.
In what areas of your life do you need more patience? How has God strengthened you through trials? Would you take a moment and give Him glory for this in the comment section?
Dessert:
Father,
We see the purpose for tribulations, and we thank You for hope. Lord, mercifully mold us with Your loving care to be more like Christ. Thank You for the grace that gets us through these times. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
© 2015 by Carolyn Dale Newell. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Thursday, 23 July 2015.
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