The Power of Cheerful Endurance
- Bishop Keith Butler
- May 5, 2023
- 2 min read
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)
The word tribulations is thlipsis in Greek and means affliction and trouble that comes our way. Can we really boast (that’s what glory means in this context) in the moments of our affliction and trouble? Anyone can boast and celebrate after they have been delivered. But God calls us to boast in the middle of the problem. This may seem a bit backwards, but Paul is explaining that even tribulation will grow our patience, experience, and our ability to hope into something much greater than it already is.
If you are currently facing difficulties, circumstances, tests, and trials, it's easy to feel isolated and believe that no one else is going through what you are experiencing and no one else ever has. But that is a lie from the deceiver himself, Satan. Yes, you will face many difficulties and problems as a believer, but it is important to remember that you are not alone in this. God put you in a community of faith to help you through.
Let me give you a few steps to handling trials and tribulations.
The first step in handling tribulation is to adjust your attitude. Laughing is a powerful tool that can help you find joy during trials. The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our strength, and we should have joy amid trials. It may feel difficult or even fake at first, but if you keep doing it by faith, the Holy Spirit will fill you up with real, supernatural joy.
The next step is to remember that your tribulation is not meant to make you strong, and it does not come from God. God doesn’t bring the problem. Its purpose is to knock you down and destroy you. But with God on your side, you have the power to overcome, and God can even use problems to your benefit. Even negative moments will bring you into the ability to tap into more hope, making it easier to face future problems with confidence in God's faithfulness.
Practical Application
Adjust your attitude and find joy in the middle of the problem. Live as a witness to others about the power of God and His faithfulness. Let the world around you see you laughing when they thought you would be broken.
