'... Patient in affliction ...'

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

-Romans 12:12

I'm intentionally repeating these words from Paul today. In April 2014, I posted about my then-recent knee surgery and my need for patience.

Today marks one year plus a day after the arthroscopic knee surgery. I'm still not quite there, but getting closer.

And I'm still thinking about patience today. And, I hope, tomorrow. And so on.

A few months ago, I made an intentional decision to change the way I prayed about my knee. With more confidence. With more patience. It has made those months much easier for me to accept that sometimes, recovery is slow. Today, I feel that I'm a more patient patient.

And more confident, too, that God will take care of me. Do I get everything I want in the deal? Not necessarily. But God will put me in a place where he can use me, all of me, knee and all.

An update one week out

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

-Romans 12:12

A few weeks ago, I posted a note about arthroscopic knee surgery scheduled for April 1.

This is my week anniversary of surgery, and while I can tell my knee problem was fixed, it's still sore and swollen. In other words, fairly normal recovery.

Now, it's a matter of patience. I am not patient person in many ways. I want instant relief, instant fix, instant recovery.

Of course, the world seldom operates that way. Instead, we wait for relief, we sit and try to fill our time for fixes, we spent hours, days, weeks, months and more for recovery. But Paul gave some great advice to his fellow believers in Rome.

We don't always have control - indeed, we seldom have control - over time and recovery. Certainly, there are often - not always, but often - ways to smooth our path for recovery. There are many, many well-trained health professionals who can help. And in many instances, using patience will bring about more lasting recuperation.

So in my recovery, I do pray that I can be joyful in hope, patient in my affliction, and faithful to pray.

'The love of God'

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-Romans 8:38-39

Last Thursday's posting was about life's trials - big and small - that can produce perseverance in faith.

Today, I re-read these verses from Paul's letter to the Romans and saw they fit that message, too. Trials are in the present and test us for the future. But despite these trials, they cannot separate us from God's love.

The trial I wrote about last week - harassment and tomato-throwing - is small compared to the trial of stroke recovery. But God's love is large - bigger than any trial, love that cannot be separated from you.

You might have seen these words on this blog before, but they're so worth repeating.

Separate us? Never

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-Romans 8:38-39

After a stroke, it's easy to feel separated. In my own experience, with a difficulty to read and speak, I spent time seemingly apart - even in a crowded place.

Paul's words serve as a reminder that despite what life throws at any of us, we can't be separated from God. His love is always with you.

Does that mean that post-stroke life is rosy and always ideal, always easy? Certainly not. Life will not stop giving out  challenges on a daily basis, large and small. But through at all, no matter the outcome on this life and on this earth, that love abides. Always.

God's love: Open for all

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-Romans 8:38-39

Responding to a Stroke of Faith posting on Christmas Eve, an intelligent blogger commented that a particular medication does not work with complete effectiveness for every person.

My response included the phrase that "the results are very much case by case." That's true for any medication you can buy, use or receive. People are unique, so results are case by case.

Later, during Christmas Eve church services, I thought about that phrase in a different context: Unlike medications, God's love is NOT a case-by-case basis. As Paul wrote, God's love is for all and cannot be undone. Cannot be removed from us.

In this world, so much of life is case-by-case. God's love is not one of these. His love is offered to us all.

'God's love has been poured out into our hearts'

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

-Romans 5:3-5

I monitor a few other blogs and saw a video, showing how one stroke survivor has seen all the characteristics that Paul described: suffering, perseverance, character, hope.

Watch and learn...

'Endurance and encouragement'

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

-Romans 15:5-6

For the last seven months, I've had some serious back problems - pain, sometimes searing pain, has certainly challenged my endurance as a runner and encouragement in general.

I also must admit that much of the time, I do not like to ask for help. And this self-reliance attitude can serve well, in some ways. But when it comes down to it, we all need help for endurance and encouragement.

Paul's word is a great reminder that we're here to provide said help to each other.

'Overflow with hope'

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

-Romans 15:13

"The God of hope ..." That's a phrase full of promise. No matter what you are going through, God is the God of hope.

When you find yourself struggling for hope - look for his promises to "fill you with all joy and peace." Trust him in his word.

Does hope always mean we get exactly what we wish for in this world alone? No. God gives hope not to the fleeting wishes for a material world, but far beyond this world. He gives us "overflow with hope."

'God works for the good'

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

-Romans 8:28

"In all things" that Paul mentions can encompass a lot. It's a huge test of faith and to take that to mean "all things," even the those that seem bad.

For stroke survivors and their loved ones, it's often hard to see the good. Which brings up some lessons learned in 1 Kings and 2 Kings in the Old Testament. I've been listening to some of the Old Testament books while running in the last few weeks.


In these books, time and time again, those who love God seem surrounded with hopelessness. But God never abandons those who love him, even those, like all of us, who were far from perfect. When things go bad, remember, even those can turn to good with God. Love him and trust him.

(Image from flickr, posted by catiedid)

God loves you - with love that cannot be separated

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-Romans 8:35,37-39

Ever had trying times? If you're reading this as a stroke survivor or a caregiver, the answer is likely a resounding yes. Even if you haven't had that experience, the human condition dictates that we will face some hardship. In this world, it's unavoidable.

Paul's great, comforting words here, though, can remind you, even in your hours of suffering, that God loves you. A speaker I recently heard phrased it like this: "God desperately loves you."

Paul had his own difficulties - just read Acts starting at Chapter 9 sometime if you're unfamiliar - but had the courage to write these words.

When you need some words of prayer and strength, remember these words of Paul. And remember, too, that God desperately loves you.

'Joyful ... patient ... faithful'

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

-Romans 12:9-12

"Be joyful in hope ... ."

Paul went through some dreadful, awful, torturous experiences during his ministry. But again and again, he wrote about hope.

I can't imagine the life Paul had - he turned turned from society's "in" crowd and took the path of the often persecuted. Perfect? No. But that was not required for Paul and it's certainly not required for Christ followers.

So when human afflictions seem overwhelming, I hope you can find comfort in Paul's writings. He, too, was afflicted but found peace.

'Trust in him'

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

-Romans 15:13

Paul's messages were often messages of hope. Some key words in this one: "as you trust in him." So trust can generate hope.

Trust him. And accept the overflow of hope.

(Image from www.heartlight.org)

You can't earn this gift - but you can accept it

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-Romans 6:23

I've seen and heard this verse all my life, but today it struck me differently. Too many people, I think, focus on the first part of the sentence and not the last part. For the moment, let's consider the last part: "... the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Notice too, that if you make yourself as a servant to sin, it's about wages - what you "earn."

Place yourself in the hands of God, and it's not what you "earn" but instead a gift. More than you could ever earn but a gift through Christ, through his unconditional love. An eternal gift - one that keeps on giving. Now and forever.

This world can be tough - but not tough enough

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-Romans 8:38-39

No separation. Nothing "in all creation" can separate us from the love of God.

Consider illness. Consider suffering. Consider post-stroke trials and tribulations, for the survivors, for the caregivers, for the loved ones. This is not to make light of those conditions - instead, it is a message for the ultimate hope for those suffering.

None of these conditions, as Paul reminds us, "will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Comforting love. Unconditional love. All-encompassing love.

Amen to that, and thank God.

We're all in this together

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

-Romans 12:4-5

Ever feel like you're useless?

No way. Read Paul's words in Romans 12 - you are part of the body of Christ, so how can you be useless? One small, kind word or gesture to someone who needs that little boost, for example. That's not useless. It's priceless.

A good word for hope and praise to God

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

-Romans 15:7

I'm currently listening to Romans on my mp3 player during my running sessions these days. It's a great letter from Paul. This particular section - Chapter 15 - is full of hope and unity.

Do you need some hope? Read the chapter and Paul's other letters. Don't fall into the trap of not considering when the letters were written and the situations the particular groups faced. Find a good Bible with commentary, such as the Life Application Study Bible.