Patience in Tribulation

Rev. Kenneth Redmann Aug 30 16PentAE

Life has a way of testing our patience. When trials continue, prayers seem unanswered, and suffering becomes difficult to bear, we can find ourselves tempted to give up—or take matters into our own hands. But what does God call us to do when we are in the middle of tribulation?

In this week’s message, Rev. Kenneth Redmann reminds us of Paul’s words in Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Whether you are searching for a Luthearn Church in Tampa or simply looking for encouragement from God’s Word, this message reminds us that we are never alone in our trials. God strengthens us through His promises, calls us to remain constant in prayer, and gives us hope through Jesus Christ.

May the meditations of our hearts and the words of my lips be acceptable to You, O, Lord. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Patience Is Hard to Develop and Easy to Lose

Dear friends in Christ, most of you know that I TRY to do a little golfing. When someone asks me “Oh, are you a golfer?” I am very careful not to claim that I am really a golfer—I always admit that I TRY to golf. The fact is that I can identify with the guy on the golf range. Maybe you heard about him. He just sliced another one and can’t take it anymore. “That’s it! I’m done!” And with that he quits and walks away. OR, he “takes control” with renewed determination, he intentionally abandons everything he was taught about grip, or stance, or swing tempo and whacks away as hard as he can.

Dear friends in Christ, when we lose patience, we, too, are on the verge of giving up. OR we are on the edge of renewed stubborn determination that we can do it MY WAY! It puts me in mind of our middle daughter. She is her father’s daughter! When she was little, she was SO determined. She would say, “I can do it! I can do it!”

It is no secret. Patience is hard to develop and patience is easy to lose.

Patience in Tribulation Is a Gift from God

That is why Paul’s words are a blessing for us today. Did you catch it? Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Rm 12.12). Paul reveals that patience is a gift from God. It isn’t something we have from birth. It does NOT come naturally to us. In Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome, the Holy Spirit reveals the bounty of God’s mercies. Formerly, we were enemies of God, but now, because of Jesus Christ, we are the people of God. God’s mercy not only forgives our sins, but it also transforms our lives. God’s mercy renews our PATIENCE IN TRIBULATION.

Paul knows that when tribulation visits, it is very easy to lose patience. Paul is speaking of the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh fighting against us, seeking to take away the comfort of our salvation. Being a Christian is difficult. Confessing God’s Word to a world that doesn’t want to hear it is hard. Showing love to one’s enemies, holding fast to what is good, practicing mercy, fighting for justice, living in peace with others—these are hard and, at times, we find ourselves saying, “I’m losing my patience.”

Dear Christian, we are tempted to give up and walk away OR to stubbornly do as we please. If you have ever found yourself falling into either of those errors, (like I have) listen to Paul, Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Rm 12.12).

GOD STRENGTHENS US IN TRIBULATION, OFFERING US PRAYER AND HOPE.

Patience in tribulation does not walk away but remains constant in prayer. One challenge to patience is the temptation to give up. We are tempted to surrender to life’s battle, to believe that nothing is worth this suffering, to feel that no one cares anyway and, therefore, we think, “Let’s just give it up!”

When Suffering Tempts Us to Give Up

The prophet Jeremiah, in our Old Testament lesson was at this point in his Christian life. Because of God’s Word, Jeremiah is a laughingstock. Jeremiah prophesies destruction, but nothing seems to happen. His loneliness leads to complaint and accusation against God! Jeremiah even questions God’s promises. Hear the Word of the Lord: “Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will You be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail?” Ouch! The prophet is bringing charge against the Lord!

Jeremiah Did Not Walk Away

Yet, at the pinnacle of his tribulation, Jeremiah does not walk away. Instead, he comes before God in prayer. He cries out to God for His mercy. God responds to Jeremiah’s suffering prayer with a promise of steadfast mercy. God will not be like a mirage—promising refreshing water only to be dry and empty.

Beloved in Lord, how often do we turn away from God in the midst of our suffering or trial or temptation? When is the last time you did so? Maybe you are in the midst of that “away from God” right now. We turn away from God when we cave into temptation. We turn away from God when we storm away from our spouse; when we diminish and demean the one we promised to love until death parts us. We turn away from God in the Church when we place our “pet project” above and ahead of God’s Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.

God Meets Us in the Midst of Our Suffering

God, in Christ, has come and endured our trials, suffering for our sin and opening the way of salvation to us. God’s great Good News to us is that because of Christ; because of His bloody Cross and glorious resurrection; He is in relationship with us. Imagine that! God, in Christ, invites our prayers, listens to our cries, and understands our anger when we are in the midst of suffering. God, in Christ, even gives us His Spirit to intercede for us.

In the darkest moments of our tribulation, therefore, we do not walk away but trust in God’s mercy and call out to God in prayer. We find PATIENCE IN TRIBULATION by being constant in prayer.

When We Try to Take Control

Secondly, PATIENCE IN TRIBULATION relinquishes the “I can do it!” self-sufficient, self-reliant attitude. With “I can do it!” attitude, we want to impose our will on the situation. We rely on our effort to bring an end to the suffering. Yet, earlier in his letter to the Romans, Paul reveals that tribulation in God’s hands is part of our Christian growth.

I was mentioning to someone recently that this business of Christian living is a “PROCESS.” Holy Scripture teaches us that through the endurance of suffering, we are formed in hope; our eyes are turned from this world to the future glory made certain for us in Christ.

Beloved in the Lord, this is precisely the situation that Peter and the apostles encountered as reported in our Gospel lesson. Peter and the others do not have in mind the things of God. Jesus had just invited them into the “inner circle” of how salvation must be accomplished. “I must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Matthew 16.21).

And Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked Him! Never! Now just let that one settle in a little. [PAUSE] Peter rebukes the Lord, Jesus. How did that work out for him? “Get behind me, Satan!” (Mt 16:23a). Talk about—Ouch!

Jesus painstakingly teaches them—and us!

Deny oneself, take up your cross, follow Me
Lose your life for My name’s sake in order to save your life
Gain the world? Forfeit your soul?
The Last Day is more important than TO-day

Thus, THIS is how we think when we fix our mind on the things of God. Rather than be in control of one’s life; one lives in hope, losing one’s life and trusting in the ways of God. We have a cliché’ for this don’t we. “Let go and let God.” Now, even that truism can go too far. This morning in our Bible Class we will talk about the necessity of “not going too far.”

Our temptation, like Peter, is to deny the cross; that is, to denounce the “suffering” process and take control of our lives. This is when we need to call upon God’s certain and secure love. This is when God grants His unfailing and faithful promise. God is not a deceitful brook. God is not like waters that fail. God’s Last Day is greater than TO-day. God grants hope that does not disappoint. Even in tribulation, we know that we are kept by grace in the ways of God, therefore, we do not take control. We exercise PATIENCE IN TRIBULATION by rejoicing in hope and constant prayer.

PATIENCE IN TRIBULATION is like walking a tightrope and not falling on either side. In the midst of suffering, we do not walk away and we do not take control of the situation, relying on ourselves. Instead, we trust in God’s mercy shown to us in Jesus. He is our lifeline in the midst of tribulation. We stand firm in Him, speaking to God in prayer and rejoicing in the hope that He works all things together for our good—for all who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Cf Romans 8:28).

God grant it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

²⁰ And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze;

they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you,

for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the Lord. ^{^[1]}

^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Je 15:20). (2025). Crossway Bibles.

Zion Lutheran Church — A Christian Family Who Cares for You!

When patience is running thin, we have a choice. We can walk away, or we can try to take control and depend upon ourselves. But God gives us another way: to remain constant in prayer, rejoice in hope, and trust His faithful promises. Through Jesus Christ, we have a Savior who understands our suffering and remains with us through every tribulation.

If you are looking for a Bible Believing Church in Tampa, we invite you to join us at Zion Lutheran Church. Come worship with us, study God’s Word, and grow together as a Christian family.

Sunday Divine Service — 8:00 AM
Bible Study — 9:15 AM Sunday
Bible Study — 7:00 PM Monday

We would love to have you with us! You can also download the worship folder and follow along with the service.