I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD (Psalm 27:13-14).

In this journey of life, we face many trials. Sometimes, we may hear His voice bidding us to go out into the unknown; trusting Him for the answer.  Or we may face some trial.  The future appears uncertain as we search for a pathway; not just any pathway, His.  Yet, we don’t even know where the next step is.  We read His Word, we pray, and we wait for a miracle or a light to illuminate our path.  Our future lies in His hands; yet, even knowing that we find it hard to wait.

In our humanity, we want to see the answer, the finish line.  Often, we don’t even know what we should pray for; but, this Christian journey is one of surrender. By faith, we trust in that which we cannot see. Knowing that even when we don’t know what to ask for, the Holy Spirit does. “Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).

The Source of Our Anxiety While We Wait

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When life becomes a whirlwind of sorrows, we want God to come and remove the whirlwind.  Yet, what if it is in the whirlwind, we hear God’s voice?  Job wanted God to come down and fix the problem, to exonerate him before his accusers.  Despite believing that God was Sovereign, Job believed that all his suffering had been an unjust act of God.  After all, had he not faithfully served God all these years?  Why would God allow such loss and sorrow into his life? Isn’t that the same question we ask when facing devastating trials?  We Christians seem to believe we know God.  He is a God of Grace and Love, so why would He ever allow His children to suffer loss or pain?  Could it be that in whirlwind of life, solid rock like faith is found.

God Speaks Out of the Whirlwind

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Life so often is filled with moments of sorrow or even despair.  We look around us and see so much darkness in the world.  The human journey on this earth is filled with sorrows, fighting, and disappointments.  All too often, as we look around us; we see men and women searching for meaning and hope in whatever manner they can.  Each searching to find their identity.  We search for peace; yet, are surrounded by wars, fighting, and personal struggles; seeking to find answers within ourselves, where none can be found.  However, it was into such a world; that Christ came.  The light of the world came to shine forth into our world of darkness, to bring hope into our hopelessness.

Mankind would like to say that this is it.  We are born, we live and then we die.  Yet, our soul yearns for infinity.  We search for freedom; yet, live lives filled with necessity.  C.S. Lewis once wrote: “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”  Therein lies the truth.  Our souls yearn for God, our creator; yet, we live in a world broken by sin.  So, is there hope to live our lives in this broken world with an abiding, steadfast joy that rises above our circumstances.  That, I can confirm to be yes.

Light in the Midst of Darkness

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Along this journey of life, we place upon ourselves so many goals.  Wanting to show our success at work, our family, our schoolwork, our finances, and in “who we are.”  We press to be known, even if only in our own little circle.  Striving always to reach the top.  Wanting our identity to rise above the crowd.  Even in our Christian walk, we work hard to prove our worthiness; boasting in even our sacrifices for Christ.  All too often, in striving to prove our worthiness; we run to and from one area of service to another.  Always afraid to slow down; because, deep within we fear someone might see our utter unworthiness. We hide the blemishes, the frailties, the fears, and the doubt.  Yet, Paul tells us nothing matters; but, to Glory in the Cross of Christ.  Laying aside our desire for self-glory, to glory in the Cross Alone.

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14).

How do we do that?  Certainly, it does not mean that we sit down and do nothing; but, it gets to the heart of the matter.  Why am I doing or striving to achieve?  What is my ultimate goal?  Is it that I might be noticed?  Or instead, recognizing my own frailty; is all that I do pointing toward the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ? Key to that, is Jesus Christ Lord of my life?  Am I willing to surrender it all, that He might shine forth Gloriously?  Does my heart truly say, “in Him I live, I breathe, I move, and I find my being” (Acts 17:28 paraphrased); while knowing, “without Him, I can do nothing” (John 15:5)?

Glory of the Cross Alone by Grace

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This journey of life at times causes our hearts to grow weary; particularly during those times when God asks us to wait.  Trials and sorrows come, while at times it seems our prayers go unanswered.  We may face financial distress, illness, family crisis, or difficulties at work.  We pray, tithe, read our Bible and wait.  Sometimes, instead of seeing God’s clear direction or plan in the midst of our distress; we grow weary and wonder if He will answer.  Yet, even during those periods of life when we cannot see His hand working, He is.  He is there, and we can trust that His plan is for our good.  During those long periods when it seems too hard, these seven steps can help you to not grow weary and by faith to know steadfast joy even during the hard times.

Paul wrote to the Galatians concerning this and we must look at the verses preceding as well and ask ourselves, “Do we really believe God’s promise?”

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:7-9).

Weary, because

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