"Oh Mommy, why did this happen to me, and how long will it last?" These were four-year-old Ade's words when she caught the flu this winter. She was confused as to how she got sick and was concerned as to how long she was going to be feeling so awful.

My heart went out to her, for I knew just how she was feeling, as do all of us who have battled the nasty bug called the flu.

Ade is not the only one to voice these questions, however, for when hard things happen in life to any of us, we too often echo the words, "Why did this happen to me, and how long will it last?"

Perhaps, it is an illness that has taken hold upon our lives, or we have lost a loved one, and our grief seems more than we can bear. In fact, the list is almost endless when we consider any number of instances that can occur that we simply wish had not found us. All of this can prompt us to wonder why and how long we might be called upon to live with them.

Yet very often, though we may pray and ponder, we may never know why or how long. Instead, we must rely upon our faith in an awesome God, Who loves us and always wants the best for us, to see us safely through the darkness to the light once again.

So, let us not lose heart when we are assaulted by life in a way that causes us to cry out, "Why did this happen to me, and how long will it last?" Instead, let us take heart.

God promised Israel through the prophet Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 31:13b – I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. (ESV)

He will also do the same for us, in His own time and in His own way. This is a truth that we can count upon, no matter what.

Prayer: Father God, thank You that we can count on You to turn our darkness into light in Your time and in Your way. Encourage the hearts of those today who are struggling with the stresses of this world and wondering why this has happened to them and how long it will last. Strengthen them to take heart and to rest in Your promises of goodness to all those who place their trust in You. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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