BE JOYFUL IN HOPE (Romans 12:12)

I just saw this clause again in a photo on a page and it triggered off an understanding in me. I think this admonition is very well needed because by human nature, we are most likely to be SORROWFUL in HOPE. I know what it is like to be sorrowful in hope. I look back and I remember how much I tortured myself when expecting some good things.

For example, after my NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) year in Nigeria, God gave me a job two months after I passed out from the corps. But I could not move out of the place where I was living as a corps member for one year and two months. I lived in NCCF Family House in Port Harcourt, but it was not convenient for me because I was no longer a corper. I wanted my own house and privacy badly but it was not coming forth. Maybe I would have gotten just any house, but I have a wonderful taste for excellent things and was choosy, so that I ignored moving into just any house. I wanted a house that was tiled all over, with high a fence in an environment where I would not be a 'local champion' and yet would not pay too much to get.

All my friends that were staying back at the family house then moved out to their own rented apartments and I was left alone. It was not easy. I was crying everyday and asking God why He was treating me that way. Now, it was not that I did not have the money to rent the house I wanted, but there was always one need or the other the Lord would lead me to contribute to, so I could not save as much as was needed. But by the time I was released to save for the house, it became difficult to secure a good one. There were vacant houses, but were not just available or not good enough (you will understand better if you live in Nigeria, Port Harcourt to be precise, and you are searching for accomodation). There was one that a friend was doing its runs for me, only for me to learn later that the caretaker of the house gave it to another. I was devastated and cried. [The house was below the standard of what I descibed to God, the compound was not fine and it is in an area where I would be a 'local champion', but I was tired and was ready to grab anything that came my way]. But later, I encouraged myself and decided to relax and enjoy myself where I was. But, you know what? By the time the Lord settled me, it was quite easy. He used a friend to connect me for the house and lo, the house was everything I asked God for, situated in a nice and quiet area, beautiful compound with good neighbours. After the Lord did this, I told myself I would not have worried myself as I did if I knew God would answer me that way. I would have rested and waited on Him quietly in the place of prayer instead of giving myself those headaches.

Yes, we pray when we are hoping for breakthroughs, for sure, but we need to learn to BE JOYFUL IN HOPE. I am still hoping for a lot of things, but I have learnt by experience to be joyful where I am on the way to where I am going, and I am still learning.

Please be encouraged and REJOICE in HOPE because the Lord your God in your midst is mighty and He will save. Zeph 3:17 Don't stop ASKING and THANKING Him for those blessings until He satisfies you with His mercies, but please REJOICE. In difficult times, it is not easy to rejoice, but we can always tell Him how we feel, we can tell Him how sad we are and He would make us happy and rekindle our joy. SHALOM