Scripture:

“By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

 

There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!” Romans 5:1-5 (MSG)

 

Perspective:

The Apostle Paul was well acquainted with hardships. Yet, in his writings about difficulties, he chose not to lament the difficulties but focus on what it produced. In his letter to the Romans, this theme was consistent. He challenged the people to let difficulties they were currently facing develop a kind of patience that only comes through the fire. He contrasted what God had already done for them almost as a mirror by which they could see everything else in their lives. In light of what God had done through Jesus, the trials they faced did not discredit God’s grace, but rather Paul encouraged them to allow hope to fill their hearts. The forging process was nothing in comparison to what God had in store for them.

 

What are troubles forging in your life? We all facing different types of difficulties, and difficulties have their own way of slowly changing us. Yet, the challenge is to allow troubles to forge faith, patience, and a positive impact on our character versus instilling bitterness, anger, and disbelief. You may find yourself hanging in the balance between those alternatives today. The forging process to develop steel into something useful requires heat or pressure. A similar process is applied to our lives. The forging process can have two outcomes. When our focus is aligned with its future benefit, our hope in God instead of current circumstances guides us to not short circuit the process. We can rejoice in midst of it.

Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002.  Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. 

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About Hona Amer

I help people live life to the fullest. Check out my book, Smart Work U. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. In order to receive updates, subscribe below.

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