hope: waiting on our Father

As I was spending time with my Father the other day, asking Him to remove some pain and affliction that I had been suffering for a while, a few passages came to my mind. James wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything,” and Paul told the beloved people of Rome, “But we also rejoice in our suffering. Because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint because the Father's love has been poured into our hearts through the Breath He has given us.” Now, I’m sad to say that “hope” is not one of my strengths. I’m a realist (and a bit of a cynic at times). It can be very difficult for me to see past the misty fog to the “light at the end of the tunnel”. There are certainly times where it is a bit brighter (or “dimmer”) than others. Yet as these words alighted upon my mind and heart, a peace washed over me and my words to my Father changed. “Father, please don’t let me waste this. I don’t want to miss out on the perseverance and character that comes from this. I know I need growth in a lot of areas. I want to stay in this until it has its ‘perfect work’ so that I can be mature, lacking nothing.” Suddenly, it was as though a weight lifted off my shoulder. The pain and affliction was still there beneath the surface, I knew He hadn’t ‘taken it away’, but I also knew that my outlook had changed. I was content with waiting, staying in that situation as long as needed be. I’m still learning but maybe this is the “hope” that Paul was talking about. It’s the hope that we can all look forward to, knowing that we are in good hands, and He’s not finished with us yet. In times like these I’m especially grateful for the Hope that is laid up for me in the heavens. And when He breathes life back into these dead lungs one day, I won’t have to hope anymore. Because my faith will become sight.