What does it mean to be patient in the face of adversity (Romans 12:12)?

Define “be patient in suffering” (Romans 12:12).

In the minds of many new Christians, God is the one who removes all of our difficulties and replaces them with nothing but blessings and pleasure. Paul wouldn’t have told Christians to “rejoice in hope, be patient in adversity, and be persistent in prayer” if this were the case (Romans 12:12, ESV).

Patience is a virtue that few of us are born with. God’s grace is necessary if we are to remain patient under pressure. The Greek word translated as “be patient” implies “to be persistent, refuse to quit,” highlighting the need of a can-do attitude in the face of hardship.

One of the fruits of the Spirit is patience (Galatians 5:22; Colossians 3:12). The author of Hebrews considers the ability to be patient under pressure to be a crucial character trait: “Patient endurance is what you need today so that you will continue to accomplish God’s will.” Then all he’s promised will come to you (Hebrews 10:36, NLT). Maintaining a steady resolve even when you’d rather give up is a hallmark of true grit and perseverance in the face of hardship (1 Corinthians 16:13; Philippians 1:27).

If anybody could teach about persevering through hardship for the sake of the gospel, it would be Paul. As an apostle of Christ, Paul regularly encountered hostility and persecution. We are confused, but not despondent. Despite being relentlessly pursued, God will never leave us alone. While we may be weakened, we are not destroyed by setbacks. Our bodies continue to participate in Jesus’ death through suffering so that his resurrection life may also be manifested in our bodies. For the sake of making Christ’s life visible in our mortal flesh, we accept the fact that we are in perpetual risk of death because we serve Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:8–11, NLT).

As Paul warned his young protege Timothy, “Everyone who wishes to live a virtuous life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Paul was an itinerant apostle and missionary who “encouraged the souls of the followers to stay in the faith and said that amid many hardships we must approach the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22, ESV). Troubles will come, Paul told the Thessalonians, and they did (1 Thessalonians 3:4).

When we proclaim the gospel of the Lord and devote ourselves to serving Him, we will face resistance from the devil (1 Peter 5:8). Discouragement is inevitable for us. The reason why Jesus warned his followers that they will face trials in this world is because of this. But be encouraged; I have triumphed over the world (John 16:33, ESV).

Knowing that Jesus Christ will ultimately prevail over every adversary helps us acquire patience in adversity: “In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you. And when the Lord Jesus Christ comes again from heaven, God will provide rest to you who are being persecuted, as well as to us. Whoever does not know God or refuses to follow the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ will be punished when he returns with his powerful angels in burning fire (2 Thessalonians 1:6–8, NLT; see also 1 Corinthians 15:25).

Learning to delight “when we run into obstacles and hardships, because we know that they help us grow endurance,” is an essential part of developing patience amid adversity. And as our faith in God’s redemption becomes stronger through persistence, so does our will to persevere. And you shouldn’t worry about being let down by your expectations. Because God so deeply loves us, he has given us the Holy Spirit to completely immerse ourselves in his adoration (Romans 5:3–5, NLT). Paul urged Christians to rely on God for strength and rejoice “in infirmities, in insults, in sufferings, in persecutions, and in difficulties” when times were tough. Because my strength comes from my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:10).

James, another biblical authority on suffering well (James 5:7-12), saw going through trials of faith as a privilege God gives us to make us more like Jesus (James 1:2–4). All injustices in the world will be righted by God, according to the Bible, but not until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. So for the time being, let us anticipate trials, give in to God, and bear them with patience and faith, because we know that He is working all things together for our good and His glory (Galatians 5:22–23).