Romans 5:3

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:
knowing that tribulation worketh patience."

I don't know about you, but I have had a real problem with this verse in my life, let alone in my Christian walk. Patience. Something we all could use a lot more of. So how does the bible say we get some? This verse says it all. Tribulation. The word in the Greek is thlipsis. It has some synonyms that I think you will find easier to understand and help put this word in perspective. It means, anguish, burdened, persecution. These can be found using Strong's bible concordance. Word number 2347. So looking at these words, do we ever suffer these things? Let's take anguish for example. It actually means extreme pain or distress. In our lives I would say a percentage of us do experience these things, but on the whole not to often. When we look at Paul, his resume reads like a train wreck. 2nd Corinthians 11:24-28 speaks about the experience's Paul had as a follower of Christ and preacher of the word. Beatings, whippings, stranded at sea, the list goes on. Now with that perspective, do we really suffer tribulation? There are some brothers and sisters in Christ that do experience these things. I think about the church in China, India, and the arab countries. Ok, so is this a guilt trip I am laying on you? No. Just trying to make your noodle flex a little to realize we are actually doing better than we think. Yes, in our life we do have trials and things that test us, but they are to refine us so that we reflect the image of Christ more clearly. In the context of being a Christian, until we exercise the faith that Paul talks about, we will never be able to get to the point where we actually do what this verse also says. Rejoice. God knows what He is doing and allowing into our lives. Remember, He will not allow anything into our lives that is not filtered through Him first. Just look at Job. God knew what He was allowing into his life but also knew the end outcome. Victory. 1st Corinthians 10:13 speaks about this. Extra credit look it up on your own. So here's the bottom line. When things begin to happen remember, God has allowed it for His purpose in yours and my life. We can choose to fight it kicking and screaming much like I have been accustomed to, or we can just sit back, bring it to God's attention in prayer and let go of it. I have been striving for this and recently have been so blessed to be experiencing it. If you think about it, it's a way for God to say hey let's spend some time together. So this week don't let the little things bother you. Don't allow people or things that happen to get under your skin. Take it from one who knows, it will just make you miserable.
Be blessed. Bob.