The Chain Reaction to Tribulations
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Sep 19, 2024
- 2 min read
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope. (Romans 5:1-3)
Romans 5:1-3 begins with being justified by faith. That sounds like a very religious phrase. Do you know what it means? It means we have been declared righteous, not because of what we have done but because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. This justification brings us into supernatural peace. Supernatural peace is much more than the absence of conflict or problems. It is a power to defeat darkness, to repair what is broken, and to replace whatever is missing in situations.
Understanding this, Paul explained that we could glory in tribulations. This might seem strange to many people. “How can I celebrate when I’m going through this difficulty?” Although no one enjoys tribulations, God has a way of using them to refine us into more excellent examples of Him. Tribulations begin a positive chain reaction when you handle them with faith.
First, tribulation worketh patience. Trials produce patience or endurance when we go through them with confidence, hope, and trust in God. The strength to persevere is to see through whatever God has called you to accomplish.
Then, patience produces experience. Our willingness to be patient as we face difficulty will give us a victory experience. Each trial we overcome adds another trophy to our faith trophy case, showing our victories and reminding us of the reality of our faith.
Finally, experience leads to hope. Our experience and patience cultivate hope in our souls. Our past victories become the foundation for confident expectations in future challenges. We remember that God brought us through last time and will do it again.
Practical Application
Only allow yourself to have a hopeful outlook when in the fire. Your history with God is a testimony of His love, power, and ability to deliver. Every victory empowers you for the next challenge.
