"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that
tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and
character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God
has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to
us."-Romans 5:3-5
Growth comes through trials and tribulation.
Trials tend to drive us deep into prayer, they tend to set the stage for
us to cling to Jesus with everything we have and He produces character,
and character, hope! What a perfect place to be! These are the times He
has set apart for you to really get to know who He is and His
resurrection power. Persevering when you are in the midst of a storm so
fierce and you have absolutely nothing to cling to and your
circumstances scream hopelessness, or when your in the midst of the
blazing fire so hot that you literally see everything in the physical
crashing and burning around you...PRAISE HIM! You persevere with praise!
He ordained this perfect time for you to get to know something else so
intimate about His character, His deliverance, His redemption and who He
is to YOU! When you lift your hands and give Him praise, there is a
heavenly exchange...When you praise Him for who He is not what's going
on around you- in this moment you let His character carry you safely to
hope on the other side.
But how do you lift your arms in praise when they seem to heavy to lift? By the power of His word!
Let Him love you through His word, let Him promise you all that He has
written you is true, and stand so firm on these promises claiming them
as your own! "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without
wavering, for He who promised is faithful. "-Hebrews 10:23 What hope this brings!