Bed time every night with our kids can be a bit of a chore. Many nights we have to start our routine early as our kids like to do things on their own time frame without being rushed. A few nights ago my son (the slowest and most hard-headed of the two) finished his routine and then hopped in the bed. My wife went to his room to tuck him in, get those sweet goodnight sugars, and pray with him (also part of our routine). Early on he stated, “Momma, my stomach hurts. Pray for it.” Being the wonderful mom she is, she prayed a sweet prayer and ended with, “Amen.” He said “Momma, it still hurts”. She said, “It will be okay. Just give God time to work.” He stated, “I know God is working– but I still hurts.” When she came downstairs she shared the story with me. It instantly blessed me. To know he had such faith and trust in God at that moment, but his tummy was still hurting him. In that moment his admission was an expression of two different realities. As I have spiritually matured, I’ve realized my heart and mind alternate between two different realities as well. They are the logical reality of a current situation as it stares me in the face, as well as the spiritual side which is constantly assuring me He is working things out and I have no need to worry. Sometimes it takes the physical a little time to catch up with the spiritual. Sometimes you sense things as they’ve already happened yet your physical eyes don’t see anything changing.
What is your tummy ache? What is that thing you have waited for yet it still hasn’t come to pass? You know in your heart, because you sense it, that God is moving. Yet your physical eyes tell you a different story. Who/What report will you believe? David reminds us in Psalms 145, “The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.” [vs. 14-15] I’m sure many of you are tired and overwhelmed. Tired of waiting for your promise and have moments you believe it will probably never happen. You may feel you’ve been duped. I assure you, if He said it, He will do it. Your due season could be right around the corner. Is your struggle getting harder? You’re getting closer! After all, there is no fight where there aren’t spoils. If there’s nothing to fight for there wouldn’t be a struggle. In the words of my wife, “Just give God time to work!”
Closing remarks and encouragement: Just because you can’t see oxygen doesn’t negate its existence. Your eyes will lie to you. But your heart knows the truth. God’s time table is different than ours. He’s moving even when we don’t see it. He’s moving even when we don’t feel it. It’s okay to be tired. It’s okay to get frustrated. It shows you care about what God has promised you. But don’t give up!
Have a blessed week, my friends!!