“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.”
—Romans 12:12
As Christians, we ought to be patient in tribulation because through tribulation God often leads us away from sin. David said to the Lord, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep Your word.” “I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me” (Psalm 119:67, 75). Through tribulation God strengthens our faith and causes us to grow in Christ’s image. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 5:3, “that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Christians desire to grow in patience and the very thing God uses to cause us to grow is tribulation. If we want to be mature Christians, there must be tribulation and difficulty in life. A believer who has not tasted much tribulation is usually an impatient, spiritually weak Christian.
Tribulation also humbles us. Because of remaining sin, we are often prideful and think way too highly of ourselves. However, tribulation has a way of cutting us down at our knees and causing us to cry out to God, and that’s a humbling blessing! James 4:4 says that “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” In 1 Peter 5:5, the Apostle Peter calls us to be clothed with humility, the very thing tribulation produces. Clearly, God uses tribulation for His glory and our good. Scripture also reveals that suffering tribulation brings eternal blessings. Those who are patient in tribulation enter into the joy of the new heavens and the new earth. We read in 1 Peter 4:13, “but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
Have you suffered for Christ? Have you shared in His tribulation? Then your reward is that you shall also share in His glory, the glory of the new heavens and the new earth. Sometimes we think we suffer greatly, and I do not want to minimize suffering since some of us have suffered much in our lives. However, in comparison to the greatness of the glory that is coming, our suffering is minimal. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).
Therefore, beloved, when God sends tribulation upon you do not 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 you with 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” (Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 26).
Tuesday Encouragement: June 16, 2026
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
