BE PATIENT

By Rick Mathes

Romans 12:12 (NASB77) ¹²   rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,

Come then, affliction, if my Father wills and my frowning friend,

A friend that frowns is better than a smiling enemy.

Our Lord has a perfect and permissive will. His perfect will is when you are “spot on” with your pursuit of holiness and returning to His image and likeness in the sanctification process. Inherent in the exercise of His permissive will whereby He pulls His hand back and allows Satan to sort and sift you with afflictions much like He did Job.

In either case, get this, you are in His perfect will!

The testing comes to work a good in you. Usually the biggest culprit it needs to uncover is pride. Pride is the root of all the other sins most likely to grip and hold you fast.

However, it can also demonstrate fruit and test sincerity. Nothing stripes circumstances down to the bare truth better than adversity. Think about this. You knees are most likely to it the ground when everything is going south. Maybe it has been a long time since you knelt down and had a real heart to heart with Jesus. You can stop reading this right now and take a moment to bear your soul and troubles before the King. (I’ll wait for you…..)

Adversity will refine and purify you if you will only be patient and play the hand that the Lord has dealt you. My favorite verse in the KJV is, “It came to pass.”

Patient perseverance will humble and correct you and make an example of you for others to follow. Remember you may be the only Christ they may see. His love manifest in you will give large rewards to anyone who will go and do likewise.

I guess the bottom line is if you believe you obey regardless of the circumstances. I have often prayed, “Lord, I am not having a good time but your will be done not mine.” You might have to be patient and pray likewise.