Day 10 | August 15, 2023

Heidi Tringali

Romans 12:12
¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

I vividly remember the day my mom was diagnosed with cancer. Although many of my friends had traveled the same journey, I had no real understanding of their pain, fear, or sadness until I experienced it myself. We must feel and experience some things firsthand to truly grasp their magnitude. Major life events like the loss of a loved one, an unexpected diagnosis, a broken marriage/relationship, betrayal, or the loss of a job strip us down to a raw, helpless place that perfectly aligns us to turn to God for hope, patience, and faith. 

Every life experience we have is a refining process performed by the gentle, loving hand of God. Although it may not always feel gentle or loving, we, as Christians, place our hope in a God who is our consistent provider and protector. That truth allows us to truly find joy in hope, even in our darkest times. 

Patience doesn’t develop when things are going smoothly. It is through the trials of life that patience is perfected. When we are in a tough season, God calls us to be patient. Why? Because patience is a key ingredient to all good things and God desires good things for us. 

Prayer doesn’t always have to be a formal, on your knees, bow your head moment. Prayer can be more like an ongoing conversation with your bestie. Faithful in prayer means choosing to pray first and often. It is the quiet time driving in your car when you see something God specifically set out for you and you thank him for it. It is that moment when you are scared or uncertain and you cry out to him. It is when you are bursting with pride and choose to give him all the glory. 

One of the byproducts of challenging times is that they equip us with a new perspective that makes us better people. Whether we are in a tough spot or a routine moment, we can be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. 

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord. Thank you for the tough times and the easy times and mostly thank you for your word that continuously prepares us for the glorious day we will see You face to face. Until then, thank you for the guidance of Your gentle hand that allows us to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. In Jesus’s name, we pray. Amen.