Recently, we went fishing, taking a duffel full of warm clothes, a backpack full of food, and a tackle box full of bait, hooks, weights, and swivels. We hoped to return with a stringer full of fish.

Besides being full after a meal (of fish tacos), what should Christians be full of? Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” That verse begins on such a positive note. Hope brings joy to our heart. Let your imagination soar. What do you hope for? Other translations encourage us to be “cheerfully expectant” (The Message) and “rejoicing in hope” (NKJV).

The second part of that verse is more difficult, “patient in affliction.” It is not a question of if we will face affliction or hard times, but when. During those periods, we are called to be patient, waiting and walking with God

The last phrase reminds us to be “faithful in prayer.” We don’t stop praying on difficult days or during seasons of struggles. We continue, probably with greater fervency and steadfastness, confident that God hears us and that our prayers make a difference.

As we attempt to comprehend this verse, we find that being “patient in affliction” should be accompanied by a heart that is full of hope and a mind that is full of prayer.

Be full my friends!