Rejoice, Be Patient, Pray

I was reading Romans 12:12 yesterday where it states to be "patient in tribulation" - this is surrounded by "Rejoice in hope" and "be constant in prayer" followed by the command to serve the saints through hospitality. This is a reminder that while our pain is real and while we are in the middle of this trial, the way through the trial is twofold: 1)to rejoice in the hope of Romans 8; and 2)a life and attitude of constant conversation with our Father (1 Thess 5:17). All the while not to become so self-focused in our grief that we neglect serving others.

I can certainly see why people who go through a loss of any kind could become so self-absorbed. I have experienced times of self-pity and self-focus since we have heard the news. There was a time I could not see myself serving anyone else ever again. Thankfully those times, when they come upon me, have been fairly short-lived.

A life rooted in Christ, no matter the trial, will be refocused by the Holy Spirit toward things above: The Hope of Heaven (2 Cor 4:18, Col. 3). A life focused on things above takes the eyes off of the temporary things that can seemingly surround and offer no hope. Truly, it is a gift of the Holy Spirit to be able to grieve, to allow ourselves to grieve, and to be able to serve and bring glory to God through the grief.

My prayer is for all who experience loss that they would not lose focus of the hope we have in Christ. Christ is the only hope in this world. John 14:6 - Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".