Living the Risen Life, Patient in Affliction

When we are Living the Risen Life, stuff happens.  And it’s in the stuff that we come to see whether we’re living as redeemed people or whether we’re just putting on a good act.  Redeemed people are patient in affliction.

In Romans 5:2-5, it reads, “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Yesterday we were joyful in hope, today we’re patient in affliction.  The two are connected.  I have been through my share of stuff and used to joke that if suffering produces character, well, I’m quite a character!

Eventually, the humor wore off and I got tired of all the bad stuff that happens.  That’s when Living the Risen Life encouraged me to be patient in affliction.  Why?  Because that’s when the comfort of Christ is mine, too!

Are you suffering today?  If you call Jesus “Lord,” be patient in affliction and you, too, will know the comfort Jesus died to give us.  He is the God of all comfort for those Living the Risen Life, Patient in Affliction.