Strained

by Julius King Kwedhi

“Be happy in your confidence, be patient in trouble, and pray continually.”
Romans 12:12 (GW)

The idea of patience is likened to that of an elastic band. You can take an elastic band and stretch it so hard till it reaches the point where it stretches no longer. That point is called “the elastic limit.” The elasticity of the band allows it to stretch and to return again to its original form and shape when released from the stretch. However, when it is stretched till it reaches its elastic limit it does not continue stretching any further.

If the force applied equals to or is less than the force that the band can put up with (although the band might not return to its original form and shape again), the band will not break. But if after reaching this point the stretching still continues, and the force applied in stretching is far greater than the force that the band can put up with, when it reaches its limit, the band “snaps” and then breaks apart.

How does this relate to patience, and therefore applying to the Christian? Our scripture here tells us to “rejoice and exult in hope, be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer” (AMP).

Life, as it is, is not a smooth ride. And the Christian life, in particular, as Christ our Lord has demonstrated for us, is not a smooth ride either. Jesus told us that being a Christian believer is walking on the narrow road. A narrow path. And in this life we “must” face and overcome testing, stretching, mocking, temptations, trials, tribulation, suffering and such likes, for the sake of the Kingdom of God.


Further Scripture Reading:

"(21) For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
(21)  For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."
1 Peter 2:20-21 ESV   

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