When Life Is Life-in’— Romans 12 Helps Balance The Trying.
V O I C E N O T E
REJOICE, ENDURE & NEVER STOP PRAYING
The inspiration to write stirred up after a bleak and stagnant period. Tests and trials bore their fruit. I’m grateful to share that God is breaking chains out here! Whatever shifted in the spirit is giving kingdom call-to-action vibes. Love led me to Romans 12:12.
Call it divine timing but there seemed to be extra oil on prophetic words over the last few months. All true words of God, whether written or spoken, aligned in flow with confirmation, comfort and ease. God re-affirmed that there’s ‘no back-tease’ with divine promises, gifts, purposes, or callings. The Holy Spirit reminds us to be patient and to believe what God has spoken.
RESTING ASSURED
With celebration buzzing in the atmosphere, it finally felt safe to exhale. Just when I was low-key afraid of “getting too happy”, assurance, rest, breakthrough, and long-awaited restoration echoed throughout the body of Christ. With prayer and “fifty-‘leven” confirmations, I finally eased off the edge and into rest.
DEEPER MEANING
Romans 12:12 prompted me to search for deeper meaning. The words behind the Word painted a picture of the kind of hope we’re encouraged to relish in. The Greek translations of rejoicing, hope, patience, and tribulations are Chairó, xaírō,elpís, hupomenó and thlípsis. Of all written, xaírō ‘s meaning resonated as the “call-to-action” I sensed. It means:
Beauty is on the horizon. The simple yet captivating word “delight” opposed the temptation to engage triggers in thought life. “Delight” confronted false fears, imaginations, guilt, shame, and past wounds that formerly robbed God of his due glory. Now is the time to acknowledge the grace and goodness of God with honor and joy.
EXPECT THE BEST
Our breath is a sign of God’s favor and mercy. Life is not over! Though many of us have endured rough or painful pasts, the same lives also reflect countless examples of God’s saving grace, forgiveness, love, and favor. Creation is evidence that God still reigns today! The same God is still blessing, healing and doing new things for all who seek him. Trust and believe that in God, there is good to come.
HOPE DEFINED
Elpís is the Greek translation for “expectation and hope”. It means “trust and confidence in what is sure (certain)”. Elpís is derived from elpō, which means “to anticipate, welcome”. The Holy Spirit reminds us to get excited. God’s Word does not fail therefore, it is safe to trust. As long as we remain in the Vine, nestled “under the shadow of the Almighty”, we’ll experience the beauty of God’s presence and blessings.
“10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it”.
Isaiah 55:10-11
PATIENCE WITH DIVINE INTERVENTION
COMPOSURE IN ADVERSITY
A sidebar is necessary for this section. I shook my head thinking of the times “patience in tribulations” was required. Picture “no, no, no” in “Get Out”. I laugh but in full transparency, I didn’t even want to look up the root words for “patience or trib…”— you get my drift. Sis endured a weary season by grace alone. God saves, you hear me?!
In mid-thought, the Holy Spirit said “the trying of your faith worketh patience”. This gem found in James 1:3-4 shares that challenges develop forbearances’ fruit. For most human beings, patience isn’t a natural “strong suit”. It’s a real gift from the Holy Spirit that comes and grows as we journey with God through things that don’t make sense. Kingdom family encourages us to create intimacy with God and engage soul feeding activities in the waiting process.
PATIENT IN TRIBULATIONS
Patience referenced in Romans 12:12 translates to hupomenó which means “to stay behind, to await, endure, persevere in prayer”. Figuratively, it means to “undergo, bear, have the fortitude, to persevere”. In unfiltered, transparent and open prayer, we are received in love and guided to God’s wisdom, answers and comfort in the things we can’t explain. Love says, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20) .
Tribulations in Greek is thlípsis, which means “pressure (what constricts or rubs together)”. It is used to describe “a narrow place that “hems someone in, especially internal pressure that causes someone to feel confined (restricted, “without options”)”. Thlípsis is also used to describe “persecution, affliction, distress, tribulation”. Whew, nothing described here is easy, but God’s grace is with us through them all.
THE BLESSING IS WORTH IT
The Bible says: “nothing shall separate the from the love of God in Christ Jesus…”, “we are more than conquerors through him who loves us” (Romans 8:35- 39) and “nothing shall be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). They say, “pressure busts pipes” but pressure also creates diamonds, valuable tools and useful instruments. If this is true for inanimate objects, imagine the potential of God’s living vessels?
We are loved. Let’s hold on to faith and seek God for comfort and guidance. If necessary, our Father will extend himself to support us through whom or what ever he chooses. Don’t be fooled out here! Remember to pray and check the fruit .
LIFE
Jesus said “I am come so that you may have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10) and “come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He also said, “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Through difficulties, loneliness and the unknown, “all things work together for good to them that love God…” (Romans 8:28). God provides strength. May we encounter the great blessing born of faith and obedience. To God be all glory and honor, now and forever, Amen.
1. Delight in God’s grace, favor and presence. Rejoice in expectation to see all of God’s promises come to pass.
2. Be patient when things don’t seem to be going right. God’s thoughts are higher than ours. Uncomfortable moments pass and often come with a valuable lesson. Remember, “all things work together for good…” (Romans 8:28)
3. Ironically, trials create a different kind of trust and soul relationship with God. Though trials aren’t on the list of ‘faves’, it bares the ripest fruit. Through them we see that God’s presence abides with us, at all times — even before we were aware.
4. “Love never fails”. Walk in love towards yourself and others at all times. Sometimes we have to “encourage ourselves in the LORD”. There’s a season for everything. Believe God knows what’s best and God’s intentions are good.
5. In time, God reveals that even when we couldn’t feel or see him, he was there all along. God is still present and promises to never leave.
6. Bring all unresolved or “in process” energy to God who loves you. God is a nurturing Father, that protects, provides, brings truth, guidance, clarity, correction, life, and light in all things. We’re safe with God.
7. Pray, watch and pray again. God loves you.
*Source References: biblehub.com, biblegateway.com, Strong’s Concordance, KJV Bible, Romans 12:12, James 1:3-4, Matthew 11:28, Romans 8:28, John 10:10, 1 Corinthians 13, Isaiah 55:10-11, Matthew 28:20, Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5, John 15, Jeremiah 29:11, Jeremiah 33:3, Matthew 26:41, 1 John 4:1 Romans 8:35-39, Luke 1:37 Luke 6:44
Glow 