3 Keys to Victory
By Capazin Thornton
There is a verse of scripture so powerful that in less than 12 words it gives us 3 keys to victory through any trouble. Romans 12:12 says: “Be joyful in hope, patient in trouble, and persistent in prayer.”
3 Keys to Victory through any trouble
1. Be Joyful in Hope
The first key to victory is to be joyful in hope. In Christ we have at least 1000 reasons to be joyful and full of hope every day!
God is the joy giver. Don’t let anything or anyone cloud your God-given joy. I’m reminded of Shirley Caesar’s classic song This Joy I have which declares: “This joy I have the world didn’t give to me . . . The world didn’t give it, the world can’t take it away.”
Let the joy in your spirit bubble up and burst out! Rejoice in hope. Christ is our continual joy and living hope for today and the future. (Gal 5:22; Col 1:27)
2. Be Patient in Trouble
The second key to victory is to be patient in trouble. In the Greek New Testament there are two words translated patient. One (makrothumia) is the fruit of the spirit and the other (hupomone) is a discipline of the soul.
Patience as a fruit of the spirit speaks of suffering long with people. The latter used in Romans 12:12 speaks of suffering long through circumstances—enduring and persevering with a cheerful attitude.
We have to discipline our soul (mind, will, emotions) to cheerfully endure through trouble. Our soul wants to throw a fit when trouble comes. Our soul likes things nice and easy.
However, God’s Word tells us to glory (rejoice) in and through troubles. We can glory in troubles because God has given us His Word, His Spirit, His spiritual armor and weapons, and all the grace we need to get through troubles! Remember, trouble produces endurance, endurance produces tested and proven character and tested and proven character produces hope. (Rom 5:1-4; 2 Cor 12:9)
So, when you go through trouble, keep a cheerful attitude. You are already a winner. Keep your faith in God and His Word and you will prevail.
3. Be Persistent in Prayer
The third key to victory is to be persistent in prayer. Never stop praying. Prayer keeps us in vital fellowship with God and helps us keep the right focus. Affirm your spiritual armor every day, wield the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, and pray always with all manner of prayer in the Spirit. (Eph 6:10-18)
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If you will stay joyful in hope, patient in trouble and persistent in prayer, you will have victory in and through any situation.
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”—Rom 15:13
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Have these keys helped you? Please feel free post your comments and share this blog.
Capazin Thornton is a Christian speaker, Bible teacher, and author in Orange County, California.
4 Responses
This was wonderful, Capazin! It is just what I needed at an extremely difficult time that knocked my feet out from under me. Within moments, tears were falling as your words resonated with my spirit, and I found hope and and the 3 keys that will lead me to victory. Thank you for this blessing…
Vicki, glad this ministered to you. God knows what we need when we need it. I am praying for you. Thanks for the feedback.
What a great teaching on patience! I never knew the differences in the meanings!! This article was a blessing and confirmed something I had been speaking of earlier with a a friend!
Rebecca, so glad this ministered to you and that God used me to be a confirming voice. Thanks for the feedback.