“Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer”  Romans 12:12

In Romans 12:12, God gives us the command to be patient in tribulation.  What do you think of when you read these words?  I am sure you have heard the terms “suck it up buttercup”, “put your big girl panties on”, “quit kicking rocks” just to quote a few; but this is not what God means by this command.  He is not instructing us to “suck it up”, he is instructing us to buckle up in the armor that He has given us for the battle.  In the beginning of Romans 12:12, his first command is to rejoice in hope. Hope is not “wishful thinking”.  No, it is much deeper and stronger than that!  Hope is standing firm on the truth.  Jesus is the way, the truth and the light.  He will direct our path and show us the truth in the situations we might find ourselves in.

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”  2 Corinthians 4:8-11

We have to remember daily whose we are!  The victory has already been won!  The worst possible scenario, death, has been defeated!!  So what could we possibly have to fear?   Not only do we have victory even over death, we have a Savior who is not distant nor unapproachable. God eagerly seeks a relationship with you.  Within this relationship you will get to know the heart of Jesus and once you truly comprehend the heart of Jesus you will be able to walk confidently through any storm.   As 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 reveals the truth that no matter what, we have Jesus: therefore, we have victory.

We are afflicted in every way – But not crushed.

We may not understand everything that is happening to us – But we are not despairing.

We will be persecuted for our believes – But we will never be left alone.

We may be struck down for a time – But we will not be destroyed.

Patience in tribulation is not “sucking it up buttercup”.  It is standing firm on the rock of truth!  It is not losing hope in the times of tribulation but joyfully expecting the God glorifying outcome.

”And He has said to me “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness”. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

God patiently walked through persecution and affliction in order to redeem us!  He was falsely persecuted and put to death for YOU! Therefore, we should view our times of tribulation as character building exercises that are making us more like Christ.  So the next time someone tells you to “suck it up buttercup” or something of that nature, let your response be, “No, I am going to buckle up in the armor of Truth, for when I am weak, then I become strong”.

”We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”  Romans 5:3