Where Your Hope Lies...

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

The above Scripture at first glance is inspirational, but have you ever tried to walk in it, during times of adversity? You will find that being joyful, patient, and faithful are not always easy in the good times and difficult at best in the challenging times. However, I have learned that the difficulty only comes about when I attempt to do it in my own strength. My author friend, Unoma Nwankwor shared this as her favorite Scripture on Monday. Here's my take on it below...

When things appear to be impossible or dim, those are the times we need hope the most. Placing our hope in Christ will bring us that joy we seek. This is a joy that can sustain us in even the most adverse times. We can do all of the above by simply trusting in Christ and allowing Him to give us direction, and waiting for His guidance.

What does it look like to place your hope in Christ?

For me, it's looking back over my life when I have gone through tough times. It's recalling how I felt in those moments that were bleak and appeared hopeless. When I am able to look back, recall how I felt in various situations, and seeing what I have been brought through, I know that is was only because of the Lord that I was able to overcome the situations. And I don't go looking for easy challenges that I faced, rather I look for those times that were extremely difficult and where I did not see a way out. It's the times that I know that there was no way I could have made it through without the help of the Lord. Then I compare my current situation to those situations, and I cannot help but rejoice. Why? I don't know how He will resolve the current situation, but I know that He will. What's even more important, is that I know that I will learn something valuable in the situation that will serve for the future, or allow me to encourage someone else.

Is patience something that you struggle with?

Patience is something that many of us would do better to have; however, we're scared to ask for it, because there's a great lesson in that. Learning patience is a skill in itself, but when we learn to be patient during an affliction, we also find our walk with Christ becomes closer, we're able to hear from Him, we grow stronger for future afflictions, and there is a blessing in the experience. We simply have to be open to the journey and look for the blessing at the end.

How committed to your prayer life are you?

Some people pray more during the good times, while others pray more during the rough times. Our prayer lives should be equally balanced, not just during the good or just during the bad. Our Heavenly Father wants to hear from us daily. Just as we take time to converse with our spouses, significant other, children, or family and friends, our Creator wants to hear from us daily, too.

He desires to hear what's on your heart and your greatest concerns. He welcomes us into His presence to minister praise unto Him, as well as to confess our faults and seek His guidance. There are days that I honestly rush through prayer, because I find myself running late. Maybe, I was up too late the night before writing, or I forgot about an appointment the next morning. Whatever the reason, I can tell the difference between spending time in His presence in the morning versus, shooting off a rapid fire prayer as though I was sending someone a text message or email.

My heart is consumed with guilt when I place Almighty God on the back burner. I find that I'm not as organized, efficient, or productive in my day. My attitude is off and I don't have as much patience, faith, or love as I should when encountering others. Yet, when my prayer life is balanced, morning, noon, and night, I can see His hand at work in my life, I can hear His voice, I feel more balanced, humbled, and appreciative.

Practicing joyfulness in hope, patience in affliction, and faithfulness in prayer has a purpose for our lives. It's His divine purpose to draw us nearer to Him, strengthen our relationship and walk in this life during adversity, and builds character.

Can you think of a time when you have had to show these character traits or saw them in someone else, and perhaps it influenced your journey? Tell me more...

In my novel, A Woman's Design: Afflictions three women face affliction and they are struggling to find hope, have no idea what patience means, and have lost their faithfulness to prayer. As a result, their faith is called into question as they each face life-altering challenges. With the threat of tragedy, devastating truths, and violence at their doorstep they will each have to face up to their imperfections and lack of faith.

Ambiance has found herself in a difficult situation. For the last few years, she has pleaded with her husband for his faithfulness and attention. Yet, his philandering ways has aborted any attempts at reconciliation within their marriage and the effort to start a family.

Giving up on any hope of healing, she has turned away from her faithfulness to the Lord and become immersed in worldly attractions. When someone else begins to pay attention to Ambiance's heart, she must turn to prayer for strength, hope, and patience. Will her prayers be enough to protect her marriage, or is it too late?

Download your copy today by clicking on the title below or the book cover...

A Woman's Design: Afflictions...

Women's fiction author and blogger, Chelle Ramsey brings a refreshing perspective into the lives of her readers and wants them to find entertainment, healing and inspiration in each novel. Using real problems and challenges faced by ordinary people, Chelle wants readers to become empowered to rise above life's adversities, with faith in God, and belief in themselves.

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.

She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle

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