Tribulation worketh patience…
by Tamas Kovacs
I have to admit this is one of the scriptures I don`t like. I think it`s because it`s uncomfortable. God tells us that in order to have one of the fruits of the Spirit we have to go through tribulation. I`m sure you`ve prayed it as well: “Oh God, please give me more patience! I need it now”. And the response from heaven is … trouble.
Farmers say each plant needs a certain kind of soil to flourish. Some need acidic, others might need alkaline. So it is with the fruits of the Spirit. Each fruit grows in a special spiritual environment that God orchestrates, and for patience to grow it needs tribulation. That is trouble with a capital `T`.
The encouraging fact is that God promises in His Scripture that He`s going to be with us in times of trouble. He never leaves us nor forsakes us (Deuteronomy 31:8). We can always count on Him cheering us on: “you can endure, just hold on, I`m holding your hand”. After we`ve been through the times of trouble and we look back, the end result is evident, we`re more patient with others and more able to endure in situations.
Prayer:Father I pray that You`ll give me grace to endure. I want You to grow this fruit in my life, so I`ll become more like You. Please let me know that You`re with me and You`re carrying me forward. Thank You that You`ll be with me until the end of the age. Amen.
Tamas Kovacs has been a part of the Ellel work in Hungary since the early 1990s. He joined the staff full-time in 1999, and became the director of the Hungarian centre in 2006. He and his wife lead the work in Hungary, and have a real passion to see the kingdom of God made evident in the local churches.
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