Someday... what?

Do people try to encourage you; but, end up sometimes discouraging you instead?  What they have to say may (often) be true; but, it comes across as pat or shallow.  If that has happened to you, then please tell us of your experience in a comment below.

Let me give you an example of well-intentioned but insufficient encouragement.

I have been reading a daily devotional by a well known and highly regarded pastor.  (I generally like his writing, so I’m not just being cranky.)  Today’s entry began with this.  “You may be facing a dead end right now – financial, emotional; relational – but if you will trust God and keep on moving in faith, even when you don’t see a way, he will make a way.”  Pretty standard advice, right?  He goes on predictably, “It will become more understandable as you head down the path he sets before you, but understanding is not a requirement for you to start down the path.”   True, but not particularly helpful.

Fortunately, he also quotes some Scripture; two Proverbs, including the ever-encouraging, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”  (Prov. 3:5-6)  But his elaboration on the verses falls flat.  “All those problems, heartaches, difficulties and delays – all the things that make you ask ‘why’ – one day it will all be clear in the light of God’s love.”  In other words, keep plodding on; You will understand someday. 

OK, so everything the writer said is true.  One day we will better understand.  On a good day, such assurances are even encouraging to hear.  If that were all that the Bible had to say on the matter, it would suffice.  

But that is not all the the Bible has to say.  It tells us there is something important - that we can understand now, not just in the future.  We don’t have to wait for “someday” to know and be encouraged by this promise:  We will reap a harvest of blessing if we endure our pain with faith in God.  

So, you don’t have to wait to experience the joy of anticipating that great reward.  You can "leap for joy" (as Jesus said) right now, right in the middle of the trial, because you already know of God's intent to reward you.   

Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”  (Rev. 22:12)  So, endure your suffering, my friend, in the belief that God will make it worth all the pain.  Don’t give up, because He will reward your faith!  There is reason to rejoice!