“…We glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
and patience, experience;
and experience, hope:
and hope maketh not ashamed;
because the love of God is
shed abroad in our hearts...”
Romans
5:3b,4,5a
Tribulation
pressure
(literally or figuratively): - afflicted, (-tion), anguish, burdened,
persecution, tribulation, trouble.
Patience
cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy:
- enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).
Experience
test
(abstractly or concretely); by implication trustiness: - experience
(-riment), proof, trial.
Hope
(to anticipate,
usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence:
- faith, hope.
We read this passage during our family devotions this morning. I was blessed and encouraged as I did a little studying of it during my personal devotions. If we will submit ourselves to the Lord, and to His will, then He can use tribulations in our lives to strengthen and build our trust and confidence in Him, to increase our love for Him as we see His love for us, and it can make us stronger and better able to serve the Lord and be a blessing and encouragement to others. If we don't submit ourselves to trusting the Lord, we can become distracted and discouraged, and even bitter and angry. This will only lead us away from the Lord, and down a path certainly not leading to victory and joy in Christ. May we put our confidence in the Captain of our salvation and may He do His glorious work in our lives to exalt His name and fulfill His purposes!
~Brittany
