Romans 5:5The Message (MSG)

^3-5 There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

Do you honestly feel as if there is more to come? I struggled with believing this passage when it seems like around every corner is more trouble, more pain, and more sickness. I feel shortchanged!

Yesterday, while surrounded by the prayers of our church family, I began to grasp that God is breaking me of all that hinders my passionate patience, tempered virtue and creating in me an alertness to the goodness of God. Notice that it doesn’t say I, it says WE. I’ve been trying to shout on my own and I am getting hoarse. It is in community that the consistent and fervent prayers reveal the purest form of perseverance. We need each other! Since our battle is not against flesh and blood our weapons are not of this world. Satan knows my weakness is my family’s health. My faith seems to fall apart when their sickness increases. I need others to remind me that Satan does not have the last word!

I ask for prayers for Daniel, his reflux has worsened and he will be scoped on Wednesday.

I ask for prayers for Brian as he develops discipline in doing his vertigo exercises and wisdom for the doctors caring for him.

I ask for prayers for my insomnia, that I will develop healthy sleep habits.

I ask for prayers for Natalie that she doesn’t get lost in the midst of everyone’s struggles.