Be Joyful In Hope

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV

Joyful in hope. Being absolutely certain of a future filled with good things affords the assurance a soul needs to endure the down side of life on earth. It is faith in God’s promises which makes me joyful, because of that stellar hope. 

Patient in affliction. It’s also the knowledge that God is working everything out for my good that enables me to endure the unpleasant and sometimes painful realities of life. Because of my faith in Christ Jesus, God provides the compulsory strength to patiently tolerate afflictions, knowing that He eventually will turn those negatives into positives.

Faithful in Prayer. Maintaining an open line of communication with the Lord, provides the ability to stay tuned into His Spirit’s leadership. Prayer allows me to remain fully convinced of His constant presence, and enables me to better discern His direction. And ask for His help.

What it all boils down to is that my belief in God’s faithfulness is what helps me to remain faithful. He provides everything I lack and does all the hard stuff for me. God responds so powerfully to faith! 

I can be joyful in the hope of an eternity with the Lord, because He is trustworthy. With his ever-present assistance I can patiently endure affliction. And He’s blessed us with an open door policy so that we can talk with Him any time and any place with the promise that He hears us.

Through our faith, God enables us to break through the restricting barriers of what we see in the physical realm to apply super-human capabilities in every circumstance—faithfully, joyfully and with great hope.