Points for Perseverance in Pain

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Romans 12:12

In the course of life in the church, service for the Lord and living in this world, there will always be times of troubles and trials. A ship at sea must be ready for storms ahead and likewise, a believer in Christ on the sea of life must be ready for the setbacks and situations that will confront him.

Exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Acts 14:22

A Christian must never be taken by surprise that trials will come

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you

1 Peter 4:12

The apostle Paul admonishes the Roman Christians what they need to do when they go through trials. God is admonishing us to do the same. Notice what are we to do when there are trials and pain in our pathway?

We are rejoice in hope.

The word rejoice means to jump for joy; literally to be ecstatic. How can a person be ecstatic unless there is a real reason? We have reason to rejoice when there are trials: we have the joy of salvation, status as God’s child, strength of Jehovah, peace of God, presence of Christ, comfort of the Holy Spirit, assurance of God’s sovereignty, promises of His word, protection of God’s angels, guidance of God’s hand, friendship of God’s children, institution of God’s church and everlastingness of God’s love and stability as His people. We can rejoice in hope of Heaven, our blessed future, our eternal peace and our everlasting righteousness. We will still have our lovely Saviour, we will experience the joy of heaven, we will live forever. We can rejoice in Hope.

We need to be patient in tribulation.

Patience is the endurance we have when we are going through a situation that we have no control over. In all of tribulations, and trials, we are to patiently endure the process and the course, knowing that God does have a purpose and lessons for us to learn. The purpose of our tribulations is to produce experience and hope

And not only so, but we glory in tribulation also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope

Romans 5:3 – 4

In tribulation, there will be the pain, questions, doubts, physical needs and emotional attachment to family and friends. These are all designed to produce desired effects in the growth and life of the believer. We therefore need to be patient in our tribulation. As a student is required to complete his course of study in order to masterfully learn all the required concepts and techniques, a genuine Christian learns the full works of the Holy Spirit in their life when he goes through with patience the trials God allows.

Continuing instant in prayer.

This phrase has the idea of preserving, desiring for and pressing on earnestly towards. Therefore Paul encourages the Roman Christians that they are being patient in tribulation, rejoicing in hope, they need to also be earnest towards praying. Prayer changes things, people and situations. When in trouble, pray; when at peace, pray; when there is a need, pray; when alone, pray; To pray always and not to faint is the Lord Jesus’ principle for us (Luke 18:1).

Are we ecstatic with hope, patient in our tribulation and earnest in prayer? These are the points for perseverance in our pain.