Day 13 – Rejoice in the Midst of the Stinky Stuff – Julie Earl
Romans 5:1-5
It’s much easier to gripe than be grateful. (I speak from experience.) We can focus on the faults of those around us, our financial shortages, our health issues and on and on. But sadly, the more we gripe, the more miserable we become. Romans 5:1-5 has wonderful truths about God’s peace, grace, glory, hope and love to help us stop ragging on people and circumstances and start rejoicing no matter how stinky things get.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 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 5:1-5).
Peace: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Once you believe in Jesus to save you from your sins, you have the awesome privilege of being at peace with God. Your conscience no longer condemns you, and you feel tranquil and finally at rest.
When hard things come your way, rather than getting stressed out and complaining, you can fix your eyes on Jesus and choose to walk in His peace. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Grace: Our faith in Jesus not only offers us peace in the midst of hard times, but it offers us amazing grace. Grace is “unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification” Merriam-Webster. If you have to be around someone who is selfish, rude or inconsiderate, God has given you all the grace you need to love that person selflessly and forgive them endlessly. Turn to Jesus for help and let Him lead you through every tough relationship. “Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand” (Romans 5:2a).
Glory: “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2b). When your finances are tight and you’re not sure your bills will be paid, you can dance a happy dance and rejoice because it is one more opportunity for God to be glorified by performing yet another miracle of provision as you follow His leading in what you should do.
Hope: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Romans 5:3-5).
When I was in the midst of serious marriage challenges, and later, when adopting a troubled nine year old, felt like more than I could bear, I had to choose to hang in there and allow the pain to make me better rather than bitter. As I persevered and hung on to Jesus for dear life, the Holy Spirit was able to grow my character and give me hope.
And what was I hoping for? For many years I was hoping God would remove me from the painful people or change them, but I eventually learned to hope for something I had control over – my own heart. The more I hung out with Jesus, the more God was able to pour out His love into my heart and change me!
You and I are going to suffer. We live in a fallen world and we are affected by the consequences of our own and other people’s free will. But we can turn to Jesus in the midst of our stinky stuff, and walk in His peace, grace, glory, hope and love!
Praying for you to know God’s fullness as you rejoice in the midst of your stinky stuff!
Julie Earl with Crazy About You Ministries (CAYM)