“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
That’s Romans 12:12, and if you haven’t read it, you definitely should.
I just want to talk a little bit about this verse and how much it means to me and the people I love. Don’t lose me here because I want you to see with open minds and hearts what’s written for you between the lines. Let's look at the concept of hope. Hope is so important. Hope is biblically defined as a gift of grace given by God to us. God wants us to hope. And it isn’t just wishing for something you don’t have. Hope is the proper response to God’s promises to us. It’s believing with all we have to give that the Lord is going to fulfill our lives and enrich us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Affliction is pain or suffering, either mental, physical or emotional. Everyone has affliction in their lives. Only you’re going to know some of it because it’s within your heart. As a result, it's hard to open your heart to people, to make someone you trust aware of what is hindering you from living your life to its fullest potential. And whether you agree or not, the Lord always knows.
Prayer. Wow. I don’t even know where to start. God talks to us in our everyday lives, whether it’s through our thoughts, our actions or what we see and hear throughout the day. For me especially, college has been a huge 180-degree turn for my life and my relationship with God, and that is because I’ve turned my entire life to Him. Romans 12:1 says that the truest worship is when you give the Lord your life and live your life for Him, and I’m happy to say I’ve done that. And being faithful through prayer has gotten me there.
It takes time. Prayers are not going to be answered immediately. But you will start to see changes within yourself and within your choices the more you talk to God and just think deeply about your life. And that’s something I don’t think I could ever live without anymore. One of the harder things about prayer, though, is the wait. You have to wait to believe God does hear you, He does care and He does want to help you. He will help you see, believe and guide you to where He has your life mapped out. It’s amazing how powerful He is.
So, if you’re reading this thinking you have nothing to hope for, you haven’t been through much affliction, or you don’t believe in prayer or have the time for it, I’m genuinely sorry for you. But, I think you’re going to read this and think otherwise.
Maybe it’s a decision you’re trying to make. Maybe it’s the choice of what school to go to, where to live when you’re older or what to name your children. Maybe it’s a problem in an intimate relationship or tension between family members. Or maybe it’s within yourself to find out who you are and what your purpose is. Just know this: When you feel that no one is there for you, that no one is going to listen to you, that no one cares, God does. And He always will. It’s written in the stars (and the Bible) that nothing can remove that love the Lord has for you. Nothing in all creation will separate you from the love He has for you. If you don’t believe me, it’s written by the apostle Paul in Romans 8:38-39. It’s so assuring we are going to have amazing lives ahead of us, and no matter what path we may choose, God is going to be with us every step of the way.
