In Chapter 6 of Waiting on God, Charles Stanley offers these words of support when we are especially disheartened during times of delay:
“As you submit to the Father during this difficult time, He provides for you, makes you all you need to be, bends other people’s hearts toward you, and sets the path for your victory.”
At this point, Dr. Stanley notes that we question why God doesn’t change our circumstances, allowing us to suffer and wait. After all, we know that God is with us in our darkness and is all-powerful, but things seem to be at a stalemate. Here we need to remember this second point as difficult times persist: The Lord has an important purpose for the seasons of adversity you face (author’s emphasis).
Especially when we see a glimmer of hope, a way out of our land between, postponement of that hope can make a normal person question everything. Disappointments can plunge our soul into despair. Dr. Stanley notes that these are times when we decide whether we truly believe in the Lord or whether He’s simply an idea we cling to.
Dr. Stanley offers five reasons why the Lord allows us to experience dark times. The first is presented today.
1. To firmly mature and establish your trust in Him when there is no visible evidence of His activity. As our faith progresses from little to maturing to perfect, we become confident that the Lord already has accomplished what He has promised. The wonderful blessing we’ve eagerly anticipated will be even more meaningful because we’ve clung to Him through every trial and setback.
Today’s question: What has strengthened your trust in God during your time of adversity? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the new Short Meditation, “My Lifesong”
