“Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” — Romans 12:12 (CSB)
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Coaches, athletes and pretty much every person on earth knows well the reality of trials and setbacks. We all encounter challenging times in our lives, and Jesus did not shy away from this reality. He addressed our troubles very clearly in John 16:33b, saying, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
While God never promised that leading a Christian life would be easy, He assured us that He would never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). It’s through the fire of these trials that our faith is both tested and strengthened. So, how do we exalt God when things are difficult? Romans 12:12 (above) provides us with a clear game plan for honoring God during tough times.
Rejoice in hope. We can give glory to God when we are facing trials by choosing to rejoice in hope. This is not burying our head in the sand and pretending we are not facing extremely hard things. Instead, it is a deep-seated hope and joy that is grounded and rooted in the promises of God. Our hope is not in seeing our circumstances change, but instead in the absolute truth that Christ has already won the ultimate victory by overcoming the world.
Be patient in affliction. There is real pain in this world. Losing a loved one, financial hardships, broken relationships, and countless trials of all kinds. Paul, the author of Romans, was undoubtedly no stranger to affliction! He was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked and so much more. However, Paul rejoiced in the fact that the glory to come far outweighs our current struggles of life on earth (Romans 8:18).
Being patient in affliction is not resigning yourself to a life of suffering but instead actively trusting in God’s timing and purposes for our lives. It is believing that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28). Being patient in affliction means you can be secure in the present, even if you do not know what the future holds because your trust is in Jesus Christ alone.
Be persistent in prayer. Prayer is our relationship with God. It is how we connect with God and acknowledge our total dependence on Him alone. He alone is worthy, and He alone has overcome the world. He already knows our trials and struggles, and through prayer, we find peace and comfort that He is God, and we are not.
Let’s give glory to God in our struggles today by embracing the hope Jesus offers, enduring hardships with patience, and staying steadfast in prayer. Let’s actively trust that He is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do.
— Melissa Motes
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