Hope, Patience and Constancy

   “Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12: 12)

   Hope, for a Christian, is the hope promised by Christ.  The hope of salvation; of forgiveness of sins.  It is hope for the consummation of God’s will on earth and within us.  In this hope we see the beauty of God’s plan.  He desires that all be saved and spend eternity with Him.  This is the hope of the gospel; the hope we rejoice in.

   Patience is difficult for many of us.  In times of sorrow and tribulation patience can be even harder.  When we are in pain or turmoil we just want it to be over.  Even a day seems too long to suffer.  Yet patience in suffering and tribulation contributes to a better understanding of God and His ways.  He will never tax us beyond our ability to cope.  In patience we learn that even though we suffer, sometimes for a lengthy time, God is still there.  He will comfort us and console us.  In this way we come to rely on His mercy even more.

   I believe the key to both hope and patience rests in constancy.  No matter the situation constancy in prayer will bring hope and help us practice patience.  At times prayer can be difficult.  Our suffering and pain may cause us to question God.  Why has He given us this cross to bear?  Reflecting on the cross of Jesus is the answer.  We are to bear our crosses just as He did.  Christ’s pain on the cross brought a tremendous good; the redemption of mankind.  When we join our pain to His perhaps some good can come of our pain as well.

   Hope, patience and constancy.  Each is important to our spiritual life.  Of these, constancy in prayer will strengthen our hope and increase our patience.

Lord You are the source of all hope.

In our sorrow Your love eases the pain.

May we always seek You in prayer,

Confident in Your love and mercy.

Amen