“Mrs. Smith, come to the front desk, please.” rambled the intercom around her. Slumped over herself, head in hands, stale cup of coffee at her feet. Red, tired eyes. Evidence of the stream of tears that had become her. Quickly she jumps to her feet and hastens to the front desk. Desperate to hear news of her husband.

Mr. Smith hadn’t felt well for months now. A midnight call for an ambulance and now at the hospital. She waits. Praying. Crying out to God to not take her husband and even better yet – to heal him.

An illness that clashed with medicine left him paralyzed, he just made it to the ER. Just in time. Before the paralyzes took his heart and lungs.

Her panicked heart cried, “I’m a young wife and mother, Lord! We have a baby! Please help. Heal my husband!”

Her life changed, it had already started, she just didn’t realize it at the time. A new life of frequent hospital trips, surgeries, and false hopes.

Were was God, she wondered? Was He not all powerful? Is He not all loving? Than why! Why would He allow her to bear this load for so long? Where was He?

Beyond weary. Emotionally empty. Completely done. She had changed.

Anyone can trust God through one bad day, but how do we trust God through the long haul? When suffering continues?

In Habakkuk, it’s only 3 chapters, we find God’s prophet asking similar questions. All the why’s and how much longer questions.

He had to witness such violence and he prayed for God to intervene, yet God didn’t swoop down and change everything for the better when he prayed.

Or what of the story of Mary and Martha, when their brother Lazarus died? Jesus was their friend, more than just a miraculous healer walking through town. Yet, God did not rush to keep Lazarus from death.

Martha asked God similar questions as Habakuk asked. She questioned…Why God?

In both stories, we learn that there is a waiting period that God requires of us at times. A waiting through the suffering. A trusting Him through the suffering.

Jesus resurrects Lazarus, for all to see, to bring glory to God. A family and friend reunited. A miraculous moment the world should never forget. Being raised from the dead is kind of a big deal.

And Habakkuk, God told him to wait, it will come. Go ahead and read Habakkuk chapter 2 and see God’s response.

“Then the LORD replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain

on tablets so that a herald may run with it.

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”

Habakkuk 2:2-3

How, as Christians do we trust God in the long haul of suffering?

We remember these key elements…

• God can be trusted, He is worthy. As you seek God, come humbly, not accusing – but allowing God to reveal Himself to you and give you His perspective on your circumstances. You will find that God can be trusted. Read Proverbs 3:5-6

• God wants to give you a perspective where you can move forward, so you can go on, when we don’t know all the answers. Read Romans 8:28

• God loves you, overwhelmingly, without question and is equally faithful to you. So don’t question your love and faith in Him.  Read Ephesians 3:18 and Hebrews 10:23

• God will move, is moving and you must wait. Yet, He will be with you while you endure. Read Isaiah 43:2

Long suffering isn’t easy. God never said it would be, but we can have joy in the midst of suffering. We have strength in the Joy of the Lord. Read Nehemiah 8:10

Our loving Heavenly Father, He has never left us. Seeking Him for His peace and refuge as you bring your weary heart to Him is the only way to trust God in the long haul.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus, holding tight – with clenched fists- to the promises of God. Never allowing the enemy to have a hay day with your thoughts. Submitting everything to the obedience of the Lord. It will come.

If you are walking through a valley, know that God walks with you and He will see you through. Make quiet time with the Lord a priority, allowing Him to wash over you the thoughts that He has of you and your situation.

About our guest post writer: Starla Jimenez is a grateful wife and mom of two. She lives with her family in Mexico, serving God and homeschooling her kiddos. She loves to encourage women in their walk with God. You can find more of her writings over at her blog, starlajimenez.com and on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.