The doctor said, “It won’t take long” as he examined Dad…  Dad was diagnosed with dementia. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I grabbed on to those last four words: “It won’t take long” I loved my Dad - I watched him slipping away, and the journey was longer (and harder) than I anticipated. I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.  We used to visit my grandma in Pennsylvania and drive through those long tunnels. The scenery goes from bright and sunny to black as night. It gets hairy about half way through. But then the tunnel’s exit comes into view like a circle of hope growing closer and larger, and soon you remerge into reassuring sunshine. 

Did you enter marriage full of hope, but things have gone poorly?

Do you still feel unsettled by the pandemic?

Perhaps you have had a diagnosis of your own? 

Are there how-longs in your heart? How long until you receive what you’ve been praying for?  How long until God gives relief?  Until your hurt is healed?  David had the same feelings expressed in Psalm 13. “How long, Lord?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will You hide Your face from me?  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? … Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes…” 

How long? Through His Word and by His character, we know the answer - just long enough.  Look at Isaiah 43:1–2, “Now this is what the Lord says - the One who created you, Jacob, … Israel - “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire the flame will not burn you.” 

God is speaking to Israel, describing their season of stretching.

“When you pass through the waters” . . . stretch.

“When the rivers seem overwhelming” . . . stretch.

“When you walk through the fire” . . . stretch.

Whether it be my Dad or my dear wife, Mary, or whatever you’re experiencing we’re being stretched.  God allows our stretching.  Look at Isaiah 43:7; “Everyone who bears My name and is created for My glory.  I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.” 

Why does God allow us to struggle?  So He will get the glory.  How long will it last? My guess is until we learn (or remember) our utter dependence on Him.  Think about your how-longs.  Would you endure the stretching for the rest of your life to glorify Christ?  Could you live with your how-longs longer if you saw it as a crown you were putting on Christ’s head?  It goes deeper than our temporary suffering.  Let’s go back to Psalm 13. This time listen with new ears as you face your how-longs.

“But I have trusted in Your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance. I will sing the Lord’s praise because He has been good to me.”