Living in a Season of “How Long?”

Living in a Season of “How Long?”

Wendy Pope

Several years ago, my husband, Scott, began to experience extreme and unexpected health problems. We had no idea when or if he’d get better. Weeks and months dragged by. Constantly wondering, How long? took its toll on us. The unrelenting stress of an uncertain future weakened my faith and I began to wonder if God had forgotten me. I felt tired, lonely, and despairing. I wanted out.

King David was once in a similar place of questioning God: “How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1). David’s circumstances had turned from promising to life threatening.

He’d been anointed king but didn’t step into his role immediately. While he waited for God’s plan to come to fruition, he served the current king, Saul. David gained respect and affection from the people of Israel, as well as those in King Saul’s court. Because of this, Saul became jealous of David and frequently threatened his life.

David wrote Psalm 13 when he was on the run from King Saul and found himself in a hard place of losing hope. He needed encouragement and strength. From a place of darkness and desperation, he cried out to God, “How long?”

Are you living in the unbearable days of “how long?” How long will I be unemployed? How long will my child be a prodigal? How long will I live with this life-threatening diagnosis? How long will I be lonely?

God used David’s words to strengthen Scott’s faith and mine. Praying his words in Psalm 13 renewed our communication with God by helping us realize the “right” words weren’t necessary. We could simply let the words filling our hearts fall from our lips as we cried out to God for help. Our strengthened faith equipped us to walk the long medical road to a diagnosis, treatment plan, and trust in God’s faithfulness through our “how long?”

Dear Lord, thank You for King David’s vulnerability. His words strengthen my faith and renew my hope for deliverance from my “how long?” Thank You for allowing me to pour out my heart to You when I am discouraged and need help and hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

REMEMBER

God uses every “how long?” to strengthen my faith and show me His power.

REFLECT

What spiritual benefits are fashioned as we live in “how long?”

RESPOND

If you are currently living in a difficult season, take some quiet time out of your day to write your own “how long?” psalm. Let the words that fill your heart pour out onto the page.

POWER VERSES

Psalm 17:1; Psalm 51:15