Patient in Tribulation

Romans 12:12 “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.”

“Patience” is defined “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.” And the word “tribulation” means “any adversity; a trying period or event.” Also, “distress, trouble, or affliction.”

When people wrong us or sin against us, we need to patiently endure that suffering, just as Christ did. He didn’t “strike back” or get revenge for Himself, but He suffered through it. 

1 Peter 2:19-23, “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:”

Jesus was persecuted, mocked, treated without honor, even called that he was possessed by a devil. But did Jesus go out and return the same back to those who made Him to suffer? No, He didn’t. 

The normal inclination for a person without Christ is to avenge themselves when they are persecuted or injured. But that is not how a Christian should act. We are taught from the scriptures to not avenge ourselves, as it is written in Romans 12.

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:19

In the same way that a dad in a home might correct and punish a child who is hurting their sibling, God the Father will punish those who cause Christians to suffer through tribulations. It sounds like the church in Thessalonica was put through persecution and tribulation, but they patiently endured and suffered through it, and Paul praised the church for their faith.

“So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 

Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 

Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;” 2 Thessalonians 1:4-6

It takes love in a person to have patience. It can be difficult and unpleasant sometimes but that is a quality that we need to possess. 

Really, when we are made to suffer through tribulations, it teaches us patience. (Romans 5:3) 

Look at the patience that God shows the world each and every day. For thousands of years He has been patient and waiting for people to repent of their sins. Every day there are billions of sins that are committed, but God doesn’t use His power to condemn everyone to eternal damnation right then and there. Day after day He suffers through all that disobedience, and continues to offer forgiveness and mercy to anyone who will come forward for it.

We need to be patient with others as well. We need to suffer through that pain when someone hurts or does something wrong towards us. We need to remember that as God is patient and merciful with us, and withholds His wrath and punishment, we need to do the same to others.

“In your patience possess ye your souls.” Luke 21:19

In Christ,

Andrew