Do you need some strength to get through what you’re going through? Maybe you’re experiencing short term problems with no clear solutions, or long term problems with no answer yet found? That’s a toughy.
I’ve been there. Many times. I’m there right now as I write this with bursititis in the hip that is taking it’s time leaving me. It is painful and inconvenient. And all that resolve, all of that patience and perseverence I learned from my last physical setbacks have eluded me. I feel like I’ve learned nothing and I have to learn all over again, how to wait, how to accept the situation, do what I can, rest and let God work, in his good timing.
Ah, to be so wise! Not me! I just want to get better, I just want to be better, all the time! And who doesn’t?
So what have I learned the last times, what am I learning now? I’ve learned that since I’ve toughed things out before, I can tough them out again. Wait, does that mean that I’m building up my perseverence?
We’ve all been there. Just knowing how long the suffering is going to last would be some relief. And then having a solution (or a cure) would be better. Saying goodbye to that problem forever, that would be heaven!
Wait, this IS heaven. Revelations 21:4 has one of the best descriptions of heaven:
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
That is the hope we have a Christians. That is how all of our stories will end – in heaven. A promise you can count on.
Okay, okay, but you may be saying ‘but that doesn’t help me now’.
What do we do when we are in the midst of some kind of suffering which is lasting too long, sapping our strength and dimming our hope?
We pray and we wait.
Epilogue: I wrote this last summer when I thought my pain would never end. But guess what? I have been doing the ‘core’ exercises the physio gave me for almost a year now and it is making a difference. It has taken a long time, but I have relief!
