This, too, shall pass

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we 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 4:17-18 (NIV)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. -Hebrews 1:11 (KJV)

Some of us have been living lives that are hit by storm after storm. It never seems to end. Where’s the supposed light at the end of the tunnel? The storms may be personal relationships, addiction, joblessness, disease, or a combination of many other issues. When will they stop?

There’s a saying that “This, too, shall pass.” It’s true, in hindsight. But while we’re experiencing these storms, they seem truly endless. With every passing day, hopelessness can grip you like a vise so you can’t breathe.

But I ask you to look to the bible for those who put their faith in God even when there seemed to be no evidence of things getting better. Joseph was wrongly imprisoned by Potiphar’s wife, and even after helping free Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker, he languished in prison another two long years. But his incarceration did indeed end, and he rose to amazing heights of power.

Abram (later Abraham) was promised to be the father of countless children, despite being ancient and with an old and barren wife. Even though he and his wife decided to “help” God out by impregnating their servant, God came through with His promise, and we–Abraham’s descendants–are here on this earth today.

The Israelites, whom God would give them the Promised Land, whined and complained and rebelled at every turn. They demonstrated lack of faith despite being brought right to the borders of the Promised Land. And yet, one generation later, when the faithless had died off, God fulfilled His oath of delivering the Promised Land to His people.

In hindsight of their lives, as recorded in God’s inerrant Word, and as we will see when (not if!) our storms pass, we will see that His plans for us are good…to prosper us and not to harm us (Jeremiah 29:11). Till then, we need to look for His blessings where we are now, and make the most of them (Jeremiah 29:1-10), with absolute faith in His provision.

One underlying theme in the bible is to hang in there, true believer. For this, too, shall pass.