Romans 12:12

So in my studying and reading last night, I came across a scripture that I would like to share, Romans 12:12. It simply says, "be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and prayerful in life"... short yet powerful. i LOVE this verse. Yesterday I read it differently than I typically do. I was in need of God's words last night and struggling with sadness, stress of things and homesickness. I have been studying the book of Romans and have learned to love the book more and more. To me, this verse speaks of Gods unfailing promise that He's holding our lives and we need to relax our worries, be patient and hopeful. I think it actually ties well to one of my mom and my favorite verses, Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." and yet again, another verse that speaks to this, Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God".

This summer, I struggled to live how God instructs us to. I was trying to handle it all by myself, looking for a way to hide from the worries and stress, but what strikes me know is knowing how I was making it ten-times harder than it has to be. Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone knew and lived by these verses, how free you would feel and joyful you would be knowing that you can give it to God to handle and just be faithful to Him while you wait patiently... Life would be sweet!

Its good to have constant reminders about this. I believe for me, one of the biggest struggles of life is turning over my life to Him, giving Him full control and being happy to do so. My personality being as such, i KNOW i will always fight this, but those times when I'm brought back and remember His words, I feel rejuvenated and peaceful.