‘I can stand even in my circumstances!’ Where this statement has strong connotation of negatives, there is suggestion of there being an end. According to the book of James, the result of the testing of our faith by our circumstance is proven faith and confirmed hope in God. Hope has priceless importance in our spiritual walk. It produces reason to keep going on, with anticipation of success. Paul wrote, in “Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:” (KJV) Paul speaks of a time far more uncertain than now. He speaks of circumstance and situation without hint of possibility or hope. When Paul writes to the church concerning hope he isn’t fabricating or expressing wishful thought. He speaks of hope that is affirmed by God’s word of truth. He notes the absoluteness of the work Jesus completed on Calvary. And, because Jesus is a sure thing, so can our dealing with our circumstance according to the word of the Lord.

Hence, it behooves us to learn the word of the Lord. Hide it in my heart, and speak it from my lips. Meditate on the word of the Lord and practice putting His word into action. Learn to apply the scripture: learning verses of scripture to live by. I will memorize the scripture, speaking the word of God during my daily activities. By doing this I can keep the plan, mind, and will of God ever before me to deal with my circumstance. And, as Paul wrote in Romans 5, hope is made healthy when we live by the faith in God’s word.

How can I know that my hope is in good health? In the midst of my circumstance I will have peace when my thoughts are kept on God’s word. Sin cannot fill my heart when my heart is filled with God’s word. My prayer life will change because it will be directed by the word of God. I will learn the voice of the Lord. His voice speaks the truth of His written word. And when God comes to deliver me from an adverse circumstance, it will be because “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”

Yes, we can stand our circumstances. Not because they are easy or that we are unaffected by them. But, because He who has begun a good work in us shall perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. God is on our side even in the midst of our situation—keep the faith!