And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:3-4
It’s been a difficult month in my home, weeks without adequate sleep and trials upon trials have come upon us. At first I thought “this is just life”, but then I started to see the strategy of the enemy. It was subtle at first, but each time I determined to do something for the Lord a trial would hit and I would be delayed or discouraged.
I began to see that every trial was strategically timed to have the greatest impact, and I haven’t handled it the way God desires. I was patient for a time, but I lost it along the way. Last night, rather than be angry, I prayed “Lord, what do I need to do?” He spoke to me: “Persist, no matter what”.
McLaren says of today’s verses that a familiar thought in Scripture is of trouble of all kinds testing a man, and if he bears it with patient PERSISTENCE, then he has passed the test and is approved. Patient persistence through trials is a witness to the power of Christ in a man’s life, and a strong hope in His faithfulness to carry us through is obtained when we persevere through many tribulations.
In simpler words, God carried us through every trial and difficulty prior to now, we can be sure He will continue to do so and that all those who look on will know the power of Christ because of it. The trials God allows us to walk through produce perseverance in us, which is “persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delayed success”. Perseverance builds character as we learn to lean on the Lord and become unmoved by difficult times. And soon we learn through many experiences that God is faithful beyond measure to carry us through if we keep our eyes on Him.
