Hope, Joy, Patience and Prayer

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12

Rejoice in hope. As a counselor, one of the main indicators of suicide in a patient is a sense of hopelessness. I remember one of my professors told us that we often have to stand in the gap of hope for clients until their hope returns.

There’s joy in being able to hope for something in the future. The anticipation of something that is to come builds a level of excitement. I think of children on Christmas morning eager to open the presents that have been gathering under the tree. We too can have that level of joy when we put our hope in the Lord.

Patient and tribulation. When difficult times come, and they do come, it is easy to lose peace and patience. When we turn our focus to God and try to see what we might learn even in the difficulties, we can turn tribulation into growth instead of set back. Staying at peace, accepting and tolerating tribulation can accelerate our growth instead of compounding things with frustration.

Constant and prayer. Prayer connects us to God. Connected, abiding in Him can help us stay in His fruit. There’s nothing I cannot take to God in prayer.