Waiting for Something Bad to Happen

#81

Friend,

“Right now, we are just waiting for something bad to happen.”

You said that to me the other day, and I couldn’t help but feel the resignation in your voice.

You know that you have done everything that you can do. It is out of your hands. It’s not that the situation is irredeemable. It’s just that it hasn’t hit the bottom yet, and it can’t bounce back until it hits the ground.

And all you can do is wait and hope that the fall doesn’t destroy them, and the wait doesn’t destroy you.

Meanwhile, you have to live life as normal as possible. Groceries still need to be bought, bills still need to be paid, work needs to be done, and birthday parties will still need to be planned. And yet there is the cloud over you, as if to mock you and wait for you to let the umbrella down, so it can rain at the worst possible time.

Despair is a word that for many will come to mind. One way, I understand despair is a constant belief that it will only get worse.

But yet, I don’t sense that with you. I’m thankful for that. While there is resignation, there is also contentment: a sense of peace with what you’ve done and a willingness to embrace what might come.

Don’t lose that contentment. It’s a gift. And it’s an inspiration to me. Many grow weary with worry or foolish wishing, but only a few find contentment no matter the circumstances.

These words from Paul seem to describe you today, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13)

You can do this with God’s continued presence giving you strength.

Love,

Aaron