Joyful, Patient, Faithful

I have had tremendous examples throughout my life of solid Christians holding strong in the midst of the storms. I won't call names because they wouldn't want to be recognized for doing what we are called to do. Suffice it to say, though, that I have seen people that you would think had nothing to be hopeful for that were filled with hope. And, I don't mean a positive attitude as in, "I hope things get better." No, true hope, a confident expectation, that GOD was working all things for their good - even when it seemed really bad.

I have seen others that patience was something they possessed more of than I could have even imagined. I have shared before that I am not the most patient person but I am talking about patient people that KNEW GOD was doing His thing in His time and their duty was to remain patient and wait for His blessing, that hope they had, to come.

Today's word comes from Romans 12:12, NIV, and sums up these people I am referring to: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Paul instructed the Romans to keep on keeping on; to know that it rains on the just and the unjust but GOD is working all things for their good. Man, that is so easy to say, it's so easy to tell someone; it's harder to practice. But, Paul reminds us through this verse that we can be joyful because of the hope we have in our SAVIOR. We can be patient in our affliction because it is going to pass and we will be better and stronger for it. And, we need to be faithful in prayer, for it is only through the strength we have in GOD that we can endure what this world may bring upon us.

I am eternally grateful for those who have given me examples of Christian strength, examples of how to walk the daily walk. I am humbled by their resolve and bolstered by their perseverance. I pray we can all be joyful, patient, and faithful.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T