Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. 4 And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.
5 Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.
Romans 5:3-5 AMP
I got the above passage one day while I was watching Pastor Joyce Meyer and I decided to look it up and read it over a few times. And that was my response to it... "Are you kidding me!?!" God and I often have those types of conversations because sometimes I feel like God must be kidding when he sends messages to me through people, television shows, movies and even my kids. And what's worse is that they are ALWAYS convicting my current state or mind set. In this particular situation, I was being convicted about my mind set.
Often times when we go through our trials and tribulations, it is so much easier to be down, stay somber, wallow in misery and feed into self-pity. I personally believe it's our way of telling the world we are not happy. Especially since some people (particularly men) are clueless so, of course, women are famous for this 'act'. But why? What's the point really? Ruining the day, the moments, the weeks... for what? They [the people around you] probably still won't catch on and even when they do, you've still wasted time. And what are they supposed to do about it? Fix it? And if they don't... are you going to be sad all of your life? Further, what did you gain from being sad or depressed about the situation? Insight? Wisdom? A solution? Change? REAL TALK - Acting in this manner to get your own way is manipulative and shows a lack of maturity mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
The fact of the matter is this... if we choose to enter and go through our trials with grace, "rejoicing in our sufferings", we will be better for it as "pressure and affliction produces patient and unswerving endurance." Which then "develops maturity of character" and ultimately "[the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation". In other words... TRIBULATION = PATIENCE = EXPERIENCE = HOPE. This is important because "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." So, if we give in to our emotions, feelings and flesh before we gain the patience and experience, our hearts will be "sick" with lack of hope, which can then personifies into bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, more depression, anxiety etc. etc.
These are the thoughts of the day, not to convict you (well maybe a little) but to encourage and inspire you (and me) to keep pressing forward. To use wisdom and stand on faith. God has a plan and it is greater than our plans, regardless of what we THINK is best for ourselves. By confronting your tribulations with grace, you are slapping the devil in the face and saying "is that all you got?" Because you need to know that in the end, you are victorious. But ONLY if you do it God's way. Me, of all people, DO NOT like feeling out of control. And that's what the devil plays on every time in my life. But really, God just allows chaos to happen so that my stubborn-self will let go of the "control" of the situation (that I never had to begin with) and Let Him do my bidding.
I remember one time I was talking to my "second" mom and I told her that I need to pray for patience because I don't have any and she said "NO! don't do that! Do you know what you just asked for???" Well, I know now. But it's all good. I will step over this, through this and on this with grace so I can get the experience and finally hope because I KNOW better days are ahead :) The heart will only get sick if you allow it too. Stand on His Word. Stand by Faith.
Be Blessed in TRIUMPHING OVER YOUR TROUBLES
33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] - John 16:33 AMP
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