If you would’ve told me five years ago — even one year ago — what our world would look like today, I wouldn’t have believed you. Life “yesterday” looks nothing like life “today.” And the longer days turn into weeks, and weeks into months, I find myself crying out along with King David, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1 NIV).
When circumstances don’t change and prayers remain unanswered, it’s easy to believe God has abandoned us. How long will this continue? How long will we continue to struggle and wrestle with fear over all of the future’s unknowns?
How long, Lord?
For over two decades, my husband has owned his own construction business. His specialty is large remodels and basement finishing. He loves nothing more than going into a home that’s been neglected or a basement that hasn’t yet been finished, and transforming cold concrete walls into a warm and beautiful home. His customers love it too.
But there is one part of the construction process that seems to trip people up. In the initial weeks, as bathrooms and bedrooms are being framed out and walls are erected, everyone feels excited and hopeful at the transformation. The changes are obvious, the work apparent.
But then, everything seems to slow. As the projects stretches from days to weeks to months and time passes with little evidence of work, people can grow discouraged. Of course, just as much work is happening behind the scenes: electrical and plumbing installation, permit applications and county inspections, planning and measuring, and ordering things like tile and fixtures and paint colors. But to the people who wake up in the same in-progress home day after day, all they see is a lack of work.
Did the contractor take off? How long will the chaos continue?
How long, Lord?
John 5 tells the story of Jesus healing a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him, He healed him. Of course, the local religious leaders were upset that Jesus worked on the Sabbath, but Jesus’ response? “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working” (John 5:17 NIV).
My friend, this life is hard. And more days than not, I struggle to make sense of our world. The chaos is overwhelming, the relentless suffering and conflict paralyzing, and when each day’s news brings more of the same images, my heart aches. There are days when it appears as if God is absent or, at the least, completely uninvolved.
How long, Lord?
Be assured, whether you see evidence of Him or not, He is present. He is always at work, and His purposes will not fail. His is the help you can always count on, the one who keeps watch day and night. And He will not let us go until He has done what He has promised. And that means we can trust Him, even when the world doesn’t make sense.
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
Michelle I can totally relate to feeling abandoned by God, for the last few weeks I have been feeling so far from Him, I pray because I know He exist and I repeat myself He loves me and cares for me but I dont feel it. On the contrary, I feel abandoned, He never answers any of my prayers, All I want Is for my mothers to be healed, for the tumors to go away, or at least I want the pain and suffering she Is facing to disappear or get dim. I am so weak, I know I can’t help her ir be with her the way I would like because I can barely take care of my kids in my physical and mental state. I keep praying but I really dont want to anymore, I force myself to keep believing in God but it is a hard battle everyday, I just want peace. To know He Is Real.
May God strengthen you and give you hope each day anew. He is indeed working, often in ways we only realize in hindsight. Keep looking for Him in little things like a bird in your yard, your kids’ faces, a beautiful sunset, or each simple provision. Cling to God’s promises and trust his timetable is best. You are not alone in your struggles.
I prayed for you and your mother just now. God bless and keep you in His care; He cares for YOU!
I have felt the same way as you do but we can not go by our feelings. We must stand on the word of God. It is so difficult when you are waiting for answers, breakthroughs, healings etc. God is present and He is aware of what you are going through as well as your mom. I have many unanswered questions myself but I Cling to Him and His promises. Seek His word and His promises. Through faith and patience we inherit His promises. I will be praying for you and your mom, May her healing manifest. God Bless you both.
Florencia,
These times are super hard. Praying for you & your mom. It’s tough as a woman not to be there for a sick parent. Asking God to strengthen your feeble body & help you care for yourself & family.
Abba Father,
Florencia is concerned about her mother. She isn’t able to be with & help her. Give her the strength she needs to care for herself & family. Show her glimpses of yourself like rainbows, or gorgeous sunsets. Send your healing touch to her & her mom. Shower her with your peace & comfort during these trying times.
In Jesus Name AMEN!
Blessings 🙂
I am praying for you Florencia! I do not know why Michele did not reply to you, but I, another reader saw your comment and my heart goes out to you. I know it is hard to keep praying and believing when times do get so weary and overwhelming. I too, have felt the same way so many times. And I am so very sorry that you are enduring so much pain and hardship. But please don’t stop praying or believing. This is when you need to bend down and pray the most!! Praise and thank God for the privilege of prayer and thank Him right now for the help you know He is going to give you!! One of my very favorite Bible versus that i have sometimes quoted non stop is Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with the whithersoever thou goest. And read Psalms and pray the Psalms to God. Oh Florencia, please, please, don’t let go of God! He is there and He knows exactly what you are going through! He may not answer your prayers in the exact way you want or in the exact way you can see that He is. But thank Him that you know He is right there with you. Sit still for a moment, and simply tell God you are giving it all to Him. Take a moment of calm peace for yourself. Breath and look up and thank God for all His love, His mercy, His grace. There is nothing too impossible for God! No problems we have that are ever too big for Him to handle! Please trust in yourself enough to put your full trust in Him!! You will make it thru this valley! Just please don’t ever give up on God…and i am going to be praying for you and with you! Please Dearest Father God, help Florincia with all her burdens. Strengthen her heart and soul and send her Your Amazing Grace to tend her spirit. She is feeling so alone and lonely dear God. Please send her the healing power of Your loving arms and please let the radiance of Your Light guide her thru this dark valley and this dark time. May it please the Lord, in Your Son Jesus’ Holy Name, I pray for Florincia, Amen. I will continue to think of you and to pray for you and will so believe for you…God is even now carrying you!
Thank for your encouraging words. Thank for reminding us of God’s mercy, grace, and goodness in the midst of any struggle, pain, and circumstance. I praise God for being the Great I Am.
I love that name of God: The Great I Am. It’s present tense. As in right now, this moment, HE IS. Thank you for the sweet reminder, Olivia.
This year is definitely one for the record. We’ve been bombarded through the media with COVID day in and day out, and all other situations that make us see a world in total chaos. On top of that many of us are dealing with personal issues, whether ours or because of a loved one, definitely can make us feel utterly helpless and overwhelmed. If there is something I have learned throughout all this, God and His Word are the only certain and unchanging things we have to hold onto in an uncertain world. If we lose sight of this, we are surely to feel defeated, but God says: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) so when we feel like He’s not around or not listening and answering our prayers, let’s not forget to fix our eyes NOT on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18) May God give us His blessed assurance no matter what our circumstances may be or what we perceive it to be that He is working through this mess for our good. May we rest in Him so that we can receive His peace that surpasses all understanding.
Amen and Amen!
YES, he is the Unchanging One. The same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Such a comfort!
Also, 2 Cor. 4 is one of my favourite chapters in the Bible. So rich. Thank you!
Wise words and so fitting for these days, weeks and months we are experiencing. May we all remember, there is no chaos in Heaven and God is in control. Thank you for such a timely post and the reassurance that we need today.
“There is no chaos in heaven.” Hallelujah!
Thank you for this timely and beautiful encouragement! These are crazy days, indeed. They challenge and strengthen our faith. Now more than ever, the world needs the hope that our God provides.
So glad we’re in this together, sister.
Just the Word I needed today!!!
I’m so glad, Karen. Xo
Thank you for this. Yesterday, my earthly father committed suicide. I needed a word of encouragement.
Oh, Rita. I am SO sorry. This breaks my heart. I cannot imagine the emotional turmoil of such circumstances. I pray that through the coming weeks you will feel God’s loving arms, his peace and strength surrounding you and upholding you. He WILL see you through–hour by hour, day by day.
Rita,
Sweet sister- I pray you feel God’s loving arms surround you now & always. So sorry to read this. Sending a virtual hug to you. Asking God to send His peace & comfort to your weary soul. Remember Psalm 23:4-5 “Yea though I walk THROUGH the valley of shadow of death-I will fear no evil. For thou art with me. Thy rod & staff they comfort me.” I pray you feel comforted & loved through this super hard time.
Blessings 🙂
Rita, my heart aches with yours. Such empathy I have for your father’s pain, and now yours. I’m so sorry, my friend.
Praise God we have him to lean on when life doesn’t make sense. I cannot imagine trying to navigate through the problems and pain on my own! Thank you, Michele, for your uplifting post today. This especially spoke to me: “He will not let us go until He has done what He has promised.” Such an encouraging word!
With you, sister.
This is Very Beautiful and So Very Much Needed in the times we are living! ♀️
Michelle,
This year hasn’t made sense to us. It has been hard & topsy turvy for many. So much chaos & unrest. Often times it feels like God isn’t there & doesn’t care. The opposite is true. He is up in Heaven fighting our battles for us. I believe the devil is working overtime to win as many people as possible. God & His army are fighting hard against him. He is doing what he can to woo us back to Himself. We need turn our eyes on Jesus & trust that He knows best. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declare the Lord. “plans to prosper you & not for harm. To give you a hope & a future.” Even when life seems bleakest God is there working on our behalf. He wants everyone to be in heaven with Him.
Blessings 🙂