Tribulations and Stuff

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope mketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

This passage from Roman's 5 sort of jumped out at me, and I figured I would share it. Tribulation here basically means pressure, which was sort of interesting to me. I suppose that must mean that we're going to have pressure, or tribulations, at times in our lives, and that it's perfectly normal that it happens.

The key is that we glory in those tribulations, instead of getting down in a rut and letting the pressures of life and situations overwhelm us. Something I'm having to learn more about and work on for sure. The Amplified version says..

"Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patience and unswerving endurance..."

This was definitely something that I needed to read. Just today I was feeling the temptation to worry about my trip, about finances, about how everything was going to work. I know I know, I just posted something along these lines the other day. But it's a process I guess, and I'm having to learn to walk it out.

The point is instead of getting down and out, I just need to worship and praise God for the victory ahead of time. It says to exult and triumph in my troubles, not sit around and complain and worry about them. Easier said than done I guess, but it's completely possible. The Bible says the result of glorying in tribulation is that it works patience, which causes us to have fortitude and to persevere, which develops the maturity of our character, which in turn produces hope.

But it all comes back to the beginning, which involves us worshiping Him during times of trouble.

Oh and just an update for everyone, another person contacted me about supporting me financially yesterday. Which was pretty awesome, and came at like just the right time. God's for real going to make all this come together, and it's going to be amazing.