Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Life can throw at us very undesirable moments. The journey of life has smiles and tears. There are events and situations in life that are chilly and virtually tears our hearts apart, but as Christians, we must stand firm, hoping in our God and knowing that He has assured us of His good intentions for us in Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
This hope is what caused Jesus to walk boldly into God's Will , even after developing cold feet - Luke 22:41-43 And he was withdrawn from them -about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if you be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done. And there appeared an angel to him from heaven, strengthening him. …
Jesus had faith in God, and hoped in Him. On Earth, He was made man, and had limited powers. His exhibited power was via the Holy Spirit, just like us. Jesus knew if the Lord forsook Him in the grave, He would be miserable, but He stayed in prayer, was patient in His Tribulation, and put His Hope in God, saying on the cross - "Father into your hands I commit my spirit."
Ours is a win -win situation. We are winners on Earth, and in death we win. Sometimes, it looks contrary on Earth, just like in Job's situation, but Job was winning in the parlance of Heaven. Paul did not appear like a victor in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 when he recounted his pain , tribulations and sufferings for the sake of Christ:
- whipped with 39 lashes (5 different times)
- beaten with rods (3 different times)
- pummeled with stones (1 time)
- shipwrecked (3 times)
- adrift at sea (one night, one day)
- journeys (frequent)
- danger from rivers
- danger from robbers
- danger from his own people
- danger from Gentiles
- danger in the city
- danger in the wilderness
- danger at sea
- danger from false brothers
- toil and hardship
- sleepless nights (many)
- hungry and thirsty (often)
- cold and exposed
- the pressure of anxiety for all the churches (daily)
Paul was able to endure all this because he had great hope in God, and knew suffering for God will end in only good. For all of God's plans for us are good, even in trials, pain and suffering, we can lift up our heads, and say like Paul - For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 2 Timothy 1:12
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