Trusting God in the Middle

It was Sunday morning. The praise team ushered in the Holy Spirit, and the pastor delivered an uplifting message. Despite my challenges, I felt hopeful and encouraged to trust God for an unseen promise. However, by Wednesday, my focus shifted to my current struggles and the blessings that had yet to materialize. I felt frustrated in the midst of it all.

I considered calling my brothers and sisters in Christ, but I didn't want to appear weak; after all, they had received the same sermon on Sunday about holding on. As a leader in the church, I felt I should be the one offering support. So, I opened my Bible to read the scriptures and explore various plans. I played worship music to shift my focus from my predicament back to God. Even though I recalled His promises, I needed to remind Him of what He said. But God never forgets, and a delay is never a denial.

Something significant occurs between the promise being spoken and its fulfillment. Consider how a college student might feel upon losing financial aid in their sophomore year or how much pain a pregnant woman endures in the third trimester of her pregnancy. In this middle journey, we wait; transitions happen, hardships may arise, and our faith is tested. We must choose to trust God rather than relying solely on our own understanding, which can delay our progress. Staying focused, trusting God, managing weariness, embracing the journey, and practicing patience strengthens our faith and illuminates our path forward.

A while back, I had a friend who was dealing with an illness. At first, she was hopeful and inspired about her healing, showing remarkable faith through her messages and shared scriptures. However, as time passed, her support network diminished, her hope faded, and her faith wavered. The encouraging messages became less frequent, and she started to lose sight of her path to healing.

In the middle, we may reach out to God, questioning if He hears our cries. It’s a period when doubts clash with faith, and God may feel distant. Life may seem confusing, faith can appear challenging, and hope may feel just out of reach. There may be fears that our season lacks purpose, but we must remember that nothing occurs by chance or mistake. Each season holds significance, and even our most challenging moments can be “beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.” In our moments of doubt and weariness, Psalms encourages that “the night may be filled with tears, but in the morning, we can sing for joy!” Galatians 6:9 inspires us, “Not to grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

I understand. Life can be challenging in the waiting room. A Sunday sermon or Bible study may not suffice during your middle season, but “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” - Hebrews 12: 1-3

The middle can be frustrating, especially when its duration is uncertain. You might not want to hear sermons about holding on. Nevertheless, I have found that character and development are forged in the middle. God tests our attitude and imparts lessons to help us for the next chapter. Whatever God has promised, it shall come to pass.

By Sandra Jean Charite