“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Absolutely, no one gets through life without encountering trials and tribulations. We’ve all faced challenges which cause us to grow as a person, particularly, spiritually. However, the growth is contingent upon our responses to opposition. Our responses speak to the depth of our connection with God. A deep connection is forged as a result of continuously abiding in the God (John 15:4, 5), which allows us to display the “three bees” in the midst of life’s challenges. As we operate in the three bees found in Romans 12:12, a curtailment is formed to keep us from falling into a pit of negativity, filled with thoughts of doubt, fear and self-pity.
First “bee” is to be joyful in hope. What does it mean to be joyful in hope? The qualities of joyfulness are characterized by staying upbeat and filled with positivity. Hope is a chosen state of expectation even when reality is grim and shadowed by impossibility. The exhortation to be joyful in hope implies that we can have hope but joy is absent. So in our decisions to expect the best outcome, we also ought to cultivate a cheery disposition. While hoping, we also must determine to be light in adverse situations.
Second “bee” is to be patient in affliction. Patient in the verse pairs with an attribute of the fruit of the Spirit called long suffering. In short, long suffering entails endearing pain and affliction for an extended period of time. Most often, it’s human nature to remove oneself from hardships as soon as possible while at the same time being filled with anxiety until the removal takes place. Per Dictionary.com, the meaning of patient is “able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious”.1 The meaning is complete regarding our stance to hold in the response to affliction. It’s important to note that this is not a task we can succeed on our own. As we stay in God’s presence, He imparts the power to weather the storms of life.
Third “bee” is to be faithful in prayer. Faithfulness is commitment backed by ongoing actions. When we are faithful, we are known to be reliable in our actions without deviation from the set task. Faithful in prayer requires us to be consistent in communication with God. It is more than praying only designated times of the day. It is a I Thessalonians 5:17 frame of mind, which teaches us to pray without ceasing. The wisdom found in Proverbs 3:6 helps us to begin the journey of “pray without ceasing”. Imagine seeking God’s guidance before we make a step into a new day regarding His plans for us in the day, before responding to an inquiry so that we receive the correct wording or before making a weighty decision or any decision. Since God never provides us with the full picture of His plans, the first scenario alone will cause us to be depended upon Him to make it through the day. It’s in the constant commune with God that he prepares up for the unforeseen mishaps and roadblocks ahead. In His presence, God provides instructions to keep straight ahead, make a turn, to zigzag or to jump over in order to bring about His will in our lives.
The development of the “three bees” in one’s life is a choice to draw near to God. It is only in remaining in close proximity to God that growth can be obtained. This growth is the honey of an intimate relationship with the Almighty God.
“ A decision to be joyful, patient and prayerful in the challenging times is a choice to overcome, by the grace of God, the areas which may have crippled us”_ASA
Chronicles of ASA 