Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

—Romans 12:12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Sometimes the key to survival is simply "setting our jaw" and going on, faithfully trusting that God is there helping us, despite the apparent outward circumstances. Choosing joy through hope rather than dwelling on despair, choosing patient endurance in times of affliction, and choosing faithfulness in prayer when all circumstances are tough are all decisions of the will. They show that we trust God, who raised Jesus from the dead, can also change our circumstances because he hears our voice and loves us.
Everything seemed to suggest God was silent and had forgotten his Son when Jesus was in the tomb. We know now this wasn't the case at all. We know that our triumph over sin, death, the evil one, and hell was happening during that silence. As we are being "joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer", let's also remain confident that he is at work for us in the times he appears to be silent and has abandoned us! Yes, we're hopeful, we're patient, and we're faithful.

My Prayer...

Create in us, O Mighty God, resolute and steadfast hearts so that we might persevere with joy no matter the difficulties we face. We ask for this resilience, this joyful hope, patience in difficulties, and prayerfulness in hard times, in the name of your faithful and victorious Son. Amen.