106 – Grace –“I long for a godly husband.”
“Grace sent me a voice recording, to express the long drawn out pain of a husband who abandoned her and her two children and who never came back. She had been crying out to God for pain relief and had started hoping God would give her a godly husband, which her heart so longed for.”
A Prisoner of Hope: When Waiting on God Feels Like Suffering
The ache of loneliness, especially within the confines of marriage or divorce, can feel like a desolate wilderness. We yearn for companionship, for understanding, for the comfort of a loving spouse. When that comfort is absent, the pain can be excruciating, leaving us feeling lost and abandoned. If you find yourself in this wilderness, like Grace, know that you are not alone. The psalmist cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1). Even Jesus, in his darkest hour, experienced the agony of feeling forsaken.
But even in this desert of despair, God's grace is present. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). This grace is not a distant promise, but a tangible presence, a wellspring of strength in our moments of deepest need. It's the grace that enables us to endure, to hope, to continue drawing near to God even when our hearts are heavy. "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
Waiting on God's timing can feel like a prison of hope, as Zechariah 9:12 describes, "Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you." We cling to the promise of restoration, but the "when" remains shrouded in uncertainty. This waiting requires spiritual discipline. Daily prayer, immersing ourselves in God's Word, and seeking fellowship with other believers are essential to navigating this difficult season. "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" (Isaiah 40:31).
Be wary of seeking comfort outside of God's will. The temptation to fill the void with temporary solutions can lead to further pain and disappointment. "No one who hopes in him will be put to shame" (Romans 10:11). Trust that God's plan, though often painful and perplexing, is ultimately for our good. He desires to be first place in our hearts, to meet our deepest needs, and to draw us closer to Him through the trials we face. Embrace His grace in the wilderness, and you will find that He is faithful to lead you through to the other side.
