“Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer” – Romans 12:12
The more I am taught the Word as a Christian the more I realise that I am not applying the basic instructions of a life of faith to my life (and that can only come from a lack of meditation as the word is supposed to abound in us in order to instruct us Colossians 3:16). Looking into troubles as a Christian I am not, by now, supposed to be disconcerted by them as I am. I am supposed to grow in combating trials as I face them in light of God’s instruction as according to His Word. Troubles, trials, tests, tribulations are a fixed part of earthly life, but they are not designed to defeat, quiet the contrary they are designed to strengthen. We are not supposed to sag our heads in sunken soul, whinning and sinning because of what we go through, we are supposed to triumph over trials, that’s Christianity (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
I want to tackle also the issue of the instructions that are so plentiful in the Word, and specifically the ones the Prophet highlighted as according to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Sounds to me like this ought to be our attitude all the time. This is how we (Christians) ought to be, this is how we ought to live. When you face challenges in your life you don’t first lose your mind and start confessing death and speaking the mindless speak of this world, you don’t first run to a friend to off-load (most of the time we don’t even discern who to talk to about our issues), you don’t first start googling solutions for your depression. When troubles come they MUST find you joyful, praying and thankful. It doesn’t make sense, but it is the God way, things of the spirit are spiritually discerned. Don’t go with what you have always done, go with God’s instruction.
There, of necessity, needs to be a change of ‘doing things’ in this life of faith. There needs to be a clear distinction between a Christian and a non-believer in these streets, that’s the only kind of life the Word produces, and this is the marker for our personal progress in the life of faith. Look at your life, look at the Word, are the two parallel? are they in alignment? if not we have work to do, let’s stop all the protesting and bickering about Church, Church members, leadership, this and that and get busy instead with bringing our lives in alignment with God’s Word. Starting with our minds, our everyday life, actions and responses are a direct reflection of what we are thinking, if we put on the mind of Christ as we are instructed, we will manifest the Life of Christ as is expected, till the ground of your mind Romans 12:2.
We are supposed to triumph over trials, that’s Christianity!
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