Faith, Joy, Waiting, and Circumstances

June 4, 2014, my sister-in-law passed away from an almost two year battle with cancer. Nothing like that had ever happened in my family before. It shook me a great deal. For those two years I prayed every night that God would heal Lisa. But he chose to take her home to be with Him. I have to say that going through that was a test on my faith, and not exactly in the best way. I questioned why, when praying continuously, why God had chosen to not heal my sister-in-law, yet there were millions of other people with cancer that were healed. I have close family friends that have prayed for over 7 years for a family reconciliation, and God has not chosen to answer their prayer (yet). I have watched their pain and suffering through the whole ordeal. For as long as I can remember I have wanted/prayed to be married and have a family, watched my friends get married, and have families, yet God has thought differently for me. He wants me here in the Dominican Republic teaching. 

Hebrews 11:1 ~~Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

1 Peter 1: 8-9 ~~Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

It would be very easy for me-- or anyone else going through difficult times-- to choose to see the circumstances differently. Do we choose to have faith, when what we want does not go the way we want it to? Do we choose to have or see the joy in our circumstances? What is God preparing for us, that we cannot see? Do we trust God that he will get us through the storm? It's our choice. 

Habakkuk 3:17-18

Though the fig tree does not bud

and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails

and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen

and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Isaiah 40:31 

but those who hope in the Lord

    will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

    they will run and not grow weary,

    they will walk and not be faint.

Micah 7:7

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
    I wait for God my Savior;
    my God will hear me.

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

Wait

Seeking these unanswered questions,

I turn my eyes to you.

Falling on my knees,

So desperate for your care,

I wait Lord for your answer.

I wait Lord for a sign.

I wait Lord for your wonders,

Already planned in your mind.

So impatient I become,

Wanting something in return.

Knowing, that in your time,

All hope will be restored.

But, how Lord, do I stay close to you,

When I no longer feel your touch?

How Lord, do I carry on,

When you feel so far away?

I must wait Lord for your answer,

Wait Lord for a sign,

Wait Lord for your wonders,

Already planned in Your mind.

The waiting for Your answer Lord,

Is not so very easy.

But without you, Lord, I am lost,

My days, so unfulfilled.

But all this waiting I must do,

Will someday be rewarded,

When I see your glorious face

Waiting for me with open arms.

So as for now I wait to hear Your voice,

I wait Lord, for a sign,

I wait Lord for those wonders,

Already planned in Your mind.

~~ LL