Romans 12:2 says “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”
I find all too often I think of trouble as a virus to dealt with and get out of my system immediately. Lately I have recognized that trouble can be a true catalyst for the maturing of my faith. I wonder if trouble is a tension to be wrestled with rather than a problem to be solved. If we recognized that trouble was a part of our existence, a part of our pathway to maturity we might be more apt to take Paul's advice in Romans 12. Be patient in trouble (it is maturing your faith) and keep on praying (not just to get out of trouble but pray to hear God on how you can mature in the midst of trouble.)
Prayer is so much more than looking for God to be our cosmic Santa Claus giving us whatever makes us feel good. Prayer is encountering the God of the universe who wants to mature us into the image of Himself, an image that loves greatly, is rich in mercy, and willing to persevere to a wise end.
I find all too often I think of trouble as a virus to dealt with and get out of my system immediately. Lately I have recognized that trouble can be a true catalyst for the maturing of my faith. I wonder if trouble is a tension to be wrestled with rather than a problem to be solved. If we recognized that trouble was a part of our existence, a part of our pathway to maturity we might be more apt to take Paul's advice in Romans 12. Be patient in trouble (it is maturing your faith) and keep on praying (not just to get out of trouble but pray to hear God on how you can mature in the midst of trouble.)
Prayer is so much more than looking for God to be our cosmic Santa Claus giving us whatever makes us feel good. Prayer is encountering the God of the universe who wants to mature us into the image of Himself, an image that loves greatly, is rich in mercy, and willing to persevere to a wise end.
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