Tribulations
“And not only that but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
I have never met a person of any character, who is worth his salt that has not been through fiery trials. Tribulation, according to the Oxford Dictionary means: “A state of great trouble or suffering.”
In the English Standard Version, the explanation is as follows:
Trials are not pleasant but they produce a step by step transformation that makes believers more like Christ.
Remember, as Christians our symbol is the cross and the cross represents great suffering. So today, if you are going through a hard time, remember there is one who knows exactly what you are going through because He has been there Himself. He really does and more importantly, He really cares.
In the catacombs of Rome, many years ago when the early Christians were being persecuted, they hid in these caves - a hand-cross was found and a replica was given to me by an Australian pastor, I am talking about 30 years ago. When you pray, you put this hand-cross in your hand and you squeeze it. When it starts to hurt you it reminds you, just a little bit, of what Jesus went through. Suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character - hope.
I remember a story of a man who was sitting in his study, there was a cocoon sitting on his windowsill and he saw this little butterfly trying to get out of this cocoon - it was struggling and it was struggling for hours.
Eventually, he thought he would help it and he took a little pair of scissors and he cut the cocoon open so that the butterfly could come out, but you know what happened? That little butterfly fell on the ground and just died because the wings had not been formed. It could not fly because it had not had that time of struggling and suffering to develop those wings to make them strong.
We need to be careful today with our children. Sometimes, we are so over-protective of them. It is very cruel because when they go into the world... When they go to school and they go out into the world, they cannot cope. You say to me, “Angus, I love my child. What can I do?” You can pray and pray and pray some more. Remember, tribulation makes us patient, it refines our character - It gives us more hope, it makes us more alert for the future.
Speak to Jesus today because He really does understand what you are going through.
God bless you and have a wonderful day.