Scripture: Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
Thought for the Day: A friend of mine used to always say when something bothered him, “That really kicks me in the craw!” I’m pretty certain he was mixing up two separate idioms, but I think I understand what he was trying to say. And in fact, the above passage has really been kicking me in the craw. I’m especially bothered by the word ‘patient’ to describe how we are to respond to suffering. I can think of a lot of ways one could respond to suffering, but patiently twiddling my thumbs is not one of them. It bothered me enough to do a little study, and it was nice to discover that this same word (from the original Greek of the New Testament) is also translated: to endure, bear bravely or hang on. Amidst suffering, I will probably not demonstrate a spirit of patience. But by the grace of God, I think I can endure and bear it bravely, and when neither one of those is possible, I can probably hang on by my fingernails. That way of responding doesn’t quite stick in my craw like the other…and it certainly doesn’t kick me in the craw.
Prayer: When you stand with me, Gracious God, I’m certain I can hold on – knowing that you are holding tightly to me. Amen.
