Joy, Hope, Patience and Prayer

UV 3247/10000 Joy, Hope, Patience and Prayer
Constantly rejoicing in hope (because of our confidence in Christ), steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer (continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength),


Romans 12 v 12

This uni-verse is a practical as well as spiritual credo for anyone to practice. The word “ rejoice” has the sense of a person bouncing in joy, bouncing back from sadness, failure, rejection, losses. It is not enough to be joyful sometimes but to keep rejoicing not due to our circumstances being perfect or joyful but despite circumstances and situations of life. Our faith, confidence, and trust in Jesus, His love, His commitment to us, His covenant promises to us, His awesome power- all enable us to rejoice in the Lord. Such joy in the Lord enables us to be patient in our troubles, knowing that it will one day end and we will be overcomers or victors in the battles and struggles of life.

We are either bouncing up or bouncing down. Whether up or down, we are steadfast and fervent in prayer asking for guidance, wisdom and strength. When we are bouncing up, we ask the Lord for wisdom to be humble, gracious and helpful. When we are bouncing down, we ask the Lord for guidance how to come out of the adverse situation. When we are bouncing up, we ask for strength to sustain us at that level. When we are bouncing down, we ask for strength to bear it if we remain down or we ask for strength to rise, to overcome, to come on top of our circumstances. Hope, joy, patience are important ingredients in our walk of faith.

The Holy Spirit is our active partner in refueling our hope, augmenting our faith, renewing or refilling our joy, reinforcing our strength. He is a faith multiplier. Through faith in the word that He keeps reminding us of, our hope is increased, our joy is topped up, our strength is renewed and our patience is extended. The exhortation in the uni-verse to be patient in affliction shows us that life in Christ is going to be often a rough ride but we should develop the resilience, remain buoyant in hope. We should avoid extremes of taking God for granted when things are normal or going just fine, blaming Him and complaining when things are not going well and ignoring Him when everything is just perfect. When we are down, we should realize that it will end sometime sooner or later, that the Lord has allowed it to test our faith and increase our endurance and patience. Praying at all times for wisdom, guidance and strength will supply all that is deficient in our live. Jesus is the best model for us to emulate. He was hopeful as He focused on the crown of glory the Father reserved for Him once He patiently endured the suffering that He had to undergo on the cross. He rejoices as He contemplates the victory that He has fought and won for all believers in all ages. He prayed at all times in all types of situations. St Paul imitating Jesus also considered the people He was ministering to as the “Fount of His joy”. We too should set up in faith several fountains of joy in our hearts, minds and lives, the very thought of which will fill us with hope and joy as well as produce the patience to endure afflictions or trials.