Patience Tried

If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints. Revelation 13:10 (NIV)

Bad things happen to everyone, whether through choice or circumstance. Sometimes, it seems certain people or families have the same types of problems over and over again. Maybe your family seems to have medical issues. You or your family member deals with one sickness, and just then another hits. Cancer, a car accident, and then a heart attack. Yours could be money. You dig yourself out of one financial pit, and then another one smacks you from around the corner. Maybe divorce creeps through your family like a flooding river, filling up every available space. I always have to think of the famous Kennedys when I think of family problems and patience tried. We all are familiar with the tragedies the family has faced with the assassinations of President Kennedy and his brother Robert, then the calamitous deaths of John Jr. and his wife Caroline, not to mention the numerous other catastrophes that have plagued the family for years. Apparently, money, fame and power do not always guarantee a happy life like we think it does.

God practically promises we will face struggles, as He clearly states here in Revelations 13:10.Death is not out of the question, neither is captivity. Heartbreak abounds in our lives; there is no way to cure it. Eradicating misery is not going to happen on this planet. But we have hope. We are called to patiently endure these things. We are called to raise our faith. We are called to be saints. Not run of the mill believers. We are called to be particularly virtuous, exceeding the expectations of those around us when it comes to holy living. We are not to grow soft, but to continue to fight the good fight, even when others around us are falling away. We are instructed to do this in 1 Timothy 6:11-12, when Paul charges us to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness" and to "Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called."

Even in the face of many trials and setbacks, we have to press on. We have to remain faithful witnesses of God's enduring love and eternal care. We must be the saints that cannot be knocked down because of the hardships we face, but are strengthened and enriched by them. We have an advantage; we know we will face distress in our lives. We know we will see great troubles. . Hold fast to Him when another problem comes out of nowhere. He will be right there with you, providing the comfort and reassurance you need.

God, be with me through the trials I face today and tomorrow. Thank you for Your promises of never leaving me, even when it feels like You aren't there. Increase my faith so that I can hold on to You. Amen.

Nikki Hamsher