"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God,the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40: 28-31, NIV
Our Omnipotent God doesn't promise that the Christian life will be free from pain. He doesn't promise it will be easy, or come together with a storybook ending. He promises His presence.
The personal stories of my biblical ancestors show that they suffered. Hebrews 11 plays like a portrait gallery of followers shaped by the anvil of pain. Their faith is refined by the kind of fire that burns away self-interest, comfort orientation, and pride. Their lives are messy and human, just like mine. Many of them meander along as they slowly grow in righteousness, just like I am. They are commended for one thing--they end well!
Ending well is about turning to our Almighty God for the pain relief we need. The Hebrews 11 crew cry out to Him--I am learning to do the same. On those days my feet seem covered in mud, during those seasons I feel alone and unappreciated, He is my go-to. I often find myself confused or disoriented. Talking over my trials with my Lord brings peace that goes beyond my understanding. The God of the Universe bends His ear to hear my cry. Incredible.
Waiting for the Lord's answers is the hardest part. It helps when I attune my heart and watch closely for movements of His Hand. It helps when I remember the mighty, miraculous ways He has worked in the past. It also helps to remind myself of a simple truth--God's unsearchable understanding doesn't operate on my schedule. He operates in the context of pure faith. Always.