I am catching my breath. Things seem to be still at the moment. And with that comes a sigh of relief, as I have had an enormous amount of seriously heavy turmoil spinning all around me with many people that I know — a highly unusual amount that has seemed to be all happening at once. And though I’m not the one standing directly in the shoes of those going through some very tough times, it has been mentally exhausting. My prayers have been very constant and very repetitious for many weeks now. And honestly, it has been challenging at times to praise God in all things, even while knowing His hand is on all circumstances. God knows what He is doing and He is in control. But sometimes it is hard to practice what you preach — even when you know it’s right, when people are suffering — especially when people are suffering. But in these last few quiet days, I sigh in my relief because I am now watching God work some pretty amazing miracles — right before my eyes. Yes, I am taking a breath.

We all want quick fixes but from what I’ve learned about God, most times He doesn’t work that way because He is on His own time. And many times when you’re completely exhausted and don’t think you can go another mile, things start looking better like they are about to take an upward turn, and then the reverse actually happens. How much worse can things get? And why is God allowing all of this pain and struggle to continue? There is a lot we won’t ever understand until we get to heaven, but I can say from first-hand experience with myself and with those I’ve watched that put their faith in God, you always can look back and praise God in His glory for the path you did have to take, even though it made no sense at the time.

It takes patience. God loves each and every one of us. Yes, God hears our prayers and answers them. But there is no telling what else and who else He is working with to bring about a specific healing situation in our lives in order to affect other healing situations happen in another’s life. He gets a lot of prayer requests. He has also promised us that all things will work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. So, it makes sense that His answers can take some time, and that doesn’t take away the fact that He has made us many, many promises that He will yet fulfill.

Think about it. Have you ever looked back and thought to yourself — if “that” wouldn’t of happened then “this” wouldn’t of happened — in a good and gracious sense? I’ve thought that many times looking back — especially over the last few years. Or even more, realizing it took me falling down in order to rise up above my circumstances, and gaining wisdom and strengthening my faith along the way. Jesus told us we would have troubles, very clearly. We live in a fallen world. I heard Adrian Rogers say the other day there are three types of storms: the one you just got through, the one you are in, or the one that is ahead of you. But the thing about it is we, as Christians, can endure these storms because we know God is working with us to get through them, and He has also provided us with a supernatural joy that never diminishes. Joy is not happiness. Happiness is dependent on something happening — externally. Joy comes from within, and only through the hope you get by faith in Jesus Christ. Happiness can be snuffed out by circumstances. Joy is an internal gift from God which remains constant.

A peculiar comparison, but I was thinking not too long ago about the beauty of a spider web. Yes, I was thinking the other day how the Christian life seems like the making of a spider’s web, which is so intricate, but all woven together as it grows towards completion. And I was thinking about when there is an injury to the web, it may be marred for a little while but the spider remains busy and constant, taking up where the web injury happened in order to finish the web so it can fulfill it’s purpose. It may have taken different turns and spins, but ultimately the web continues on to its completion.

For the most part of 2016, I feel like I have been observing God’s web weaving. I have witnessed a lot of pain and suffering, but more so, now I am witnessing prayers being answered and watching the transformation of those I love happen right before my eyes. It is absolute confirmation of my hope. Prayer lists work! People get healed! Relationships get saved! People get stronger, and life moves on.

When I speak of hope, most people think it’s the same thing as wishful thinking, as in “I hope something will happen.”  But the biblical definition of hope is “confident expectation” or a firm assurance about things that are unclear and unknown. Without it, life loses its meaning. And with it comes a confidence in His protection, and help, which is free from fear and anxiety. Hope produces joy and peace in believers that only comes through the power of the Holy Spirit.

But get this — did you know that hope is actually produced by endurance through suffering and is the inspiration behind endurance? In Romans you will read:

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:2-5 ESV)

Only by looking back at my own journey through my darkest of days can I fully understand the power the Holy Spirit has given me to identify with the troubled, which leads me to getting down on my knees and praying for those to overcome. Only through looking back at my own journey can I lend an understanding ear and give encouragement through my confident assurance of hope. Only through my own journey do I know that a lot of people, places and things were put into place, by God, in order for me to get out of those dark days and into the light. My joy, peace and hope are a true result of all the pain I endured after I handed my life over to Christ. To me, that’s a priceless experience.

So, do I wish pain and suffering on those I love? Do I look forward to more of my own storms? Of course not! But tribulation is a given. Especially in the days we are now living. So for now, I am using this quiet, still, uneventful moment in time to rest, to reflect, to pray — but most importantly to glorify and thank God in all things. I rest assured that all of these battles have already been won on the cross and, as hard as life gets, my eternity in heaven is certain.

Holding fast,

Lori

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28)

^{Photography by Genta Mochizawa}