Hallmarks

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV

Joyful, patient and faithful. These are the hallmarks of those who follow Jesus. I know that I am far from perfect and fail to meet these hallmarks on a daily basis. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

And it's hard! For me, trying to be patient is usually more like gnashing of teeth. At least this verse didn't say to be joyful in affliction. I'm not sure many of us are physically capable of such a feat. But in all things we should be faithful and even this isn't easy. Life is tough and we sometimes put too much stock in things around us rather than in what our heart knows to be true.

But however these words touch your heart, we should be faithful in praying for joy and patience.