Prolonged Difficulties Need Prolonged Faith

You will keep in perfect peace

    those whose minds are steadfast,

    because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3

Weeks of difficulties and challenges can leave you feeling physically exhausted, mentally and emotionally drained, and wondering why God is not stepping in to help you.

Even when I had pneumonia years ago, it did not last for more than four weeks. Yet I find myself just now recovering from a lung inflammation/infection as I start my fourth antibiotic and third course of Prednisone over four  weeks later. Daily breathing treatments, coughing, feeling both irritated and frustrated that my lung is still congested after so long, one begins to forget what normal breathing feels like.

While of course God does not abandon us in such circumstances, we can find our patience growing thin and wondering why it is taking Him so long to arrive on the scene. Yet I know from experience that God has His own timing and He often needs to bring certain things or situations into alignment before positive change occurs. In retrospect I can see a couple of things He wanted adjusted through my process of healing, but at the time you are enduring hardship it is difficult to see or understand any of it.

This when experience matters. Recalling past difficulties God has seen you through can be immensely helpful in putting current problems into proper perspective. When we remember all the good things God has already done for us, and the endless difficulties He has brought us through over the years, we can more easily adjust our mind and emotions to face the current problems.

We will all have difficulties in life of one sort or another. Your challenge may be a situation with your job, a difficult relationship, financial troubles, or like myself, a health issue. Whatever you are facing it is worth stopping for a moment in time, look back at past difficulties and successes, and recall that you are never in hard times alone. You have an Awesome, All Powerful, and Faithful Heavenly Father who will never leave or forsake you! Christian, above all never forget that when your days on earth are through Jesus will be there to receive You into His Kingdom!

Prayer: Dear Lord, life can weaken and wear us down, strengthen our feeble knees and put strength back into our step. With You all things are possible. Praise be to Your  Holy Name! Amen.