“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer…” Romans 12:12
To be patient in tribulation means we joyfully accept God’s will while at the same time pray that God would give us the strength to endure for His honor, glory and praise! Do you realize how this practice would change the way we live? One of the most blessed responses I’ve heard a believer give when cancer, sickness or death came upon them is this, “It’s very hard, but it’s God’s will and He will give me strength to endure.” You see, it’s our calling, not merely to accept God’s will, but to love and rejoice in God’s will, which is always good, perfect and acceptable (Rom. 12:2).
Habakkuk 3:17-18: “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold & there be no herd in the stalls; Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Would you respond like this? If you suffered total financial ruin this year would you still be able to say, “I will rejoice in the Lord?” Do you truly love God or only the blessings He gives? It’s important for us to be patient in tribulation because regardless of what God sends upon us … we deserve infinitely worse! Psalm 103:10: “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” If God dealt with us according to our sins we would be in hell right now because the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Remember that when you begin to murmur and complain about the troubles God sends your way.
We should also be patient in tribulation because many times it’s through tribulation that God leads us away from sin. Psalm 119:67: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.” Through tribulation God strengthens our faith and causes believers to grow in grace. Paul said in Romans 5:3: “…knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” A Christian desires to grow in patience yet the very thing God uses to cause us to grow is tribulation. Tribulation humbles us! Because of the remaining sin in our heart we are often prideful and think way too highly of ourselves (Rom. 12:3), yet tribulation has a way of cutting us down to our knees and causing us to cry out to God, and that, beloved, is a humbling experience. James 4:4 tells us that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5 calls us to be clothed with humility and tribulation is the very thing that produces humility. Truly, God uses tribulation for His glory and our good! Therefore, Christian, when God sends tribulation upon you don’t murmur or complain, but receive it patiently by rejoicing in hope and continuing steadfastly in prayer to God. In this way you will rest confident in the promise that God will provide all things necessary for body and soul and that whatever evil He sends upon you in this troubled life, He will turn to your good; for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing also, being a faithful Father. Amen!