“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience hope” (Romans 5:2-4)
There is something in tribulations that leads to glory if we are patient and remain hopeful. Tribulations require patience which will earn you experience. And it’s that experience that becomes your unique story required to build you up and boost your faith. A testimony that needs to be shared in order to give hope and strength to somebody, or probably even win the lost souls unto the Lord. (see Revelation 12:11).
Whenever we experience tribulation (distress, suffering, rejection, pains, misfortunes, difficulties, trials, etc..) resulting from oppression or persecution, we should be mindful that we are not alone, “for greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Be in the Word
Each tribulation has a beginning and an end. It is not the time for us as the children of God to start asking a carnal question, like “why me?” Neither does it call for backsliding, but rather, you begin the battle on your knee (prayer) and face the battle with the sense of victory and of course with a positive attitude. Then you can grow in the tribulation and fall forward and not backward.
Paul said in Philippians 3:14, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”. I see victory over and over again each time I meditate on Colossians 2:14-15 which says, “Blotting out the handwritten of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it”.
Jesus Christ already nailed all our failures and condemnation to the cross and He has given us victory, so we should see tribulation as a fight from victory to victory. Don’t ever see yourself as the sacrifice whenever you are going through the tribulation because you are not the sacrifice, and neither can there ever be any other sacrifice rather than the Lamb of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the one who offered one sacrifice for all sin – forever. (see Hebrews 10:12-17).
The tribulation period is not the time to start blaming people or see anyone as your enemy. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. Tribulations do not also necessarily mean you have committed sin or living in sin.
It’s all about his grace
The Bible unequivocally made it cleared that no one can receive anything except it is given from God, and God does not bless or save us because of our good works but by His grace (see John 3:7, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:8). When we are experiencing good times in life, it does not mean we are more righteous or any better than others, but rather, it means we are enjoying the grace of God. But we cannot continue in sin and expect the grace of God to overflow. (see Romans 6:1-2).
Times of tribulation are times where we need to focus more on the promises of God for us and the characters of Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 says, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”.
Paul also encouraged us in Romans 8:18 and 2 Timothy 4:7-8. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
You are stronger than your tribulations
Tribulation, for you, might be your waiting time to receive an answer from God to what you have been praying about for years. Some might be waiting on God for a child, the fruit of the womb. Romans 4:19-21 says, “And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred year old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform”. The above Scriptures are talking about the strong faith of Abraham and what we should emulate.
Don’t be weak in your faith and make sure you don’t stagger around promises of God, and you shall be congratulated at the appointed time.
No matter the tribulation or whatever we go through we should focus on our incontestable hope in Christ Jesus because no powers and absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (see Romans 8:35-39).
Confessions – Prayer Points:
- Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world (see 1Johnn 4:4)
- The Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want (see Psalms 23:1)
- The Lord is the lifter up of my head (Psalms 3:3)
- The Lord is my refuge and strength and my very present help in trouble (see Psalms 46:1)
- May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in the sight of the Lord, my strength and my Redeemer (see Psalms 19:14)
