How To Live Through Adversity, Challenges and Tribulations

How To Live Through Adversity, Challenges, and Tribulations

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

Reading the text scripture above almost sounds like the opposite of the reality of God’s word. And if you just started reading the Bible and seeing all the wonderful things God promised you and brought you in Christ Jesus, you will be wondering ‘why should I be patient in tribulation?”

Tribulation is anything that causes great worry, trouble, burden, affliction, adversity, hardship etc.

Tribulation is never a pleasant state anyone wants to find him or herself in. But, the Bible admonished us to be patient in it.

How? By being patient and continuing instant in prayer.  

Living through life, tribulations and challenges are one of the ways to show that you are still alive whether you like it or not.

And just in case you’re wondering what happened to the peace Christ promised us. It is a different kind of peace.

It is that kind of peace that passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:27)

Our Lord Jesus Christ, when talking to his disciples about the kind of peace we should have as Christians. In John 14:27 He said; “my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”

Now, the question is what does the world’s peace look like?

The world’s peace is very temporal. It does not last more than a blown out smoke. It refreshes for a while but you are back to where you started again.

Jesus himself said“… in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”. – John 16:33

For Jesus to say, in this world you will have tribulation, it simply means no matter how much you try, tribulation will never go away. It is here to stay.

But, you what? We are not of this world even though we are resident here. The master himself assured us that he has overcome the world for us.

And that is where our peace comes from, knowing that no matter how tough the situation or challenges, we have an overwhelming victory in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:37 NLT)

Looking at it from Wesley’s Note on the Bible puts it rightly and in great simplicity:

Romans 8:37 – “We more than conquer - We are not only no losers, but abundant gainers, by all these trials. This period seems to describe the full assurance of hope.” (LINK)

Now, taking us back to our opening scripture in Romans 12:12 “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer”, we already know the result of the challenges we face or are going to face. But the last words in that verse shows us what we should do “Continuing instant in prayer”.

So, when you go through that trouble, whether in your business, family or health, don’t stop praying knowing that you already have an overwhelming victory.

Bible References:

Romans 12:12

Romans 8:37

John 16:33

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