KATHY GABLER—If we study the progression of Romans 5:4, (trials then perseverance then character then hope), we begin to understand the real issues. Threshold wars are waged when the heat of trials gets our character to a red-hot blaze, like the point when metal can be changed and re-shaped. That is the point when the heat makes it tempting to quit and run to the nearest place of relief rather than complete the process by submitting to the Blacksmith’s hammer. So these wars are screaming the question while we’re in the heat of battle: “Will you do the right thing, let God change your heart and mind where necessary? Will you choose to respond to trials with wisdom and develop godly character; or will you remain the same person, refusing to be conformed to His image?” And our answer at this point will either propel us on to hope and toward promise, or cause us to fall short of hope and promise.

MELISSA GABLER—Here are some practical ways to pray during this time.  (Quick side note, our first priority in wartime prayer is to tend to our relationship with our God.  It’s through that relationship that we learn to trust the One who created this earth, and know how to pray from divine truth.)  Back to prayer, 1. A practical way to pray is tongues.  Praying in tongues is speaking mysteries that only God can understand.  1 Corinthians 14:2 “For one who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to people but to God; for no one understands him or catches his meaning, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries [secret truths, hidden things].”  There’s no babbling going on here, just full-on pure interaction with the King.  So, this means the soul can’t get in the way, nor can what we just saw on the news.