It is one thing to deal with unresolved personal issues. It is quite another to accompany some other individual stumbling in the darkness of loss and discouragement - one pressed by the
proverbial wringer.
For several months I’ve witnessed a challenging scenario
play out. I’ve wanted so much to
fix things, or at least assist in the fixing, and have been willing to
sacrifice accordingly. I’ve hoped
for the best, prayed, waited for delayed answers, and waited some more. I’ve supported the hurting person in both
obvious and creative ways.
The situation only continues to compound. My vicarious longings grow deeper until
the ache of want becomes chronic. This doesn’t mean I’m without an anchor (hope), it
just means discouragement reminds me of my smallness and inability to control
the outcome.
That’s a good thing, because when problems seem to have no
solution, the options narrow. Will
I run, hide, quit? Will I pray, obey, wait?
It is still early morning of a day that will be full of
visitors, activity, and service – as well as compassion and support. As I consider the challenges before me, I grasp the
words from an ancient morning prayer:
“Lord, teach me today to pray, believe, hope...” The most I can do is petition God,
trust Him, and hope in Him. These must
be the focus while I attempt to share the other person’s pain in ways that will
eventually support resurrection from despair, redemption from darkness, and
restoration from brokenness.
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