Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Patient in Tribulation
Moving to Canada has proven to be a time of tribulation for many new Canadians. Some newcomers in Toronto say they’ve had to pay between six and 12 months of rent upfront to persuade landlords to offer them housing. That’s because they lack documents like credit scores and recommendation letters, so they have to prove their reliability with cash. Raffaela Cruz moved to Toronto from Quito, Ecuador, last year. She had to pay six months’ rent upfront to secure a place in the city.
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When I was young, we used to sing a simple little Sunday School song that simply repeated “the joy of the Lord is my strength.” If you are old enough to remember that little ditty, I’m sorry I have now planted an earworm in your brain. You’ll be humming that little song now for a while. The message may be simple, but it is true. The hope we have in Jesus is our strength – it carries us through the most difficult of times. No matter what you are facing, it is not the end. Even if it leads to death, that is not the end. In fact, only Christians have the hope, and the assurance, that death is just the beginning of experiencing the fullness of the Kingdom of God. So, Paul is able to write in Romans 12:12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” In the most difficult of times, as we remain faithful in prayer, and patient through whatever we are facing, we will discover that God’s hope produces joy. Even in the toughest times.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley