Sit Tight May 13, 2008
“When a train goes through a tunnel and gets dark, you don’t throw away your ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.” ~ Corrie Ten Boom
Do you ever feel like you are going through the longest tunnel ever?!
What keeps you there? What compels you to wait it out?
Faith?
Confidence?
Experience?
Fear?
Jeremiah 17:7
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.”
I like to believe I trust in the Lord, but I’m becoming acutely aware of when I take my will back. Unfortunately, I realize about losing my trust in Him only after I’m fully in control and in my ego. I’m in process too (oops, progress).
Tam I love how you just cut right to the heart of the matter!
Yes, I have found myself in that tunnel scared, alone and wondering when my screaming and pounding my fists on the door will catch the attention of Him. But that’s the lesson here for me: Quiet! Sit down, shut up and pray.
Hebrews 13:5 (Amplified Bible)
“…for He God Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down (relax My hold on you)! Assuredly not!”
When I’m stuck in that tunnel and I know others are also afraid of the dark, it keeps me going to reach out to them and to comfort them in the darkness, to remind them that even though the tunnel is dark and the ride is long, The Master Engineer is still in control of the ride. And that the tunnel, the tracks, the mountain, the force of gravity, the sunrise and the stars above, the galaxies and beyond answer to Him.
I think about all the tunnels I’ve come through in the past and how God was with me in every single experience every step of the way. He’s not going to leave me this time.
Honestly, what keeps me there is the tunnel. right? In times like that, there isn’t really a choice about where I am… the choice is in how to deal with it. what kind of traveler to be. I can be angry and bitter. I can throw myself against the tunnel in an attempt to shatter it. Or I can keep moving forward in faith.
Current tunnel: I’m moving forward in faith about 75% of the time. The rest of the time, I”m kicking the tunnel.
Wow. Tam. This is so good. Will be added to my fridge with yesterdays.
What keeps me in the train?
Hope. Promises. Knowing that He does have a future for me (29:11). And knowing that no matter how scary it seems with Him, I could never do it without Him.
Boy, you’re really pulling out the big guns this week, aren’t you?
Yes, I’m in one of those tunnels right now and the thing that keeps me there is that voice saying, “Trust me. I’m taking you to where I want you to be, and in the end, it will be better than where you thought you should go.”
But most of the time I feel like I’m standing right beside the driver’s seat, poking Him in the shoulder and saying, “Uh, are you sure this is the right way? Doesn’t look like the right way to me…”
Faith. Confidence. Experience. Fear. I believe it is all of those things at different times.
Faith that God knows what He is doing.
Confidence that His plans for me are so much better than I can imagine.
Going through ‘tunnels’ and trials and watching God work during those times allows me to rest easier when I lay things at His feet.
And….sometimes the fear of being out of His will or interfering in His work keeps me riveted to my seat.
Tam-
Do you have an email address? I would like to send you something.
Thanks
At 64 “Experience” looms large - He has never failed me! I have had so many blessings and miracles that I am not worried about the dark tunnels.
Geeze - there is so much wisdom here! I have loved reading through everyone of these comments.
It shows how God loves us so. He works with each of us differently. One perspectives may not be like another’s but yet our focus remains the same…keeping our eyes on Him at all times.
I’m going to take some time to re-read these again now so i make sure I get everything God wants me to get. He DOES speak through others I’m sure - and He is speaking now!
The best part of the dark tunnel, is when you see the light at the end. I’m not jumping off the train and staying there in the darkness.
I am no fan of the tunnels. But knowing the One who drives is a huge help.
At times I lose sight of trust. Not so much in God, per say, but often I forget that he is kind and loving. He will make a way, even when there seems to be none.
I suppose it is true that experience is a huge help in this. Having experienced God delivering me out of circumstances in the past, and hope and faith that he will do it again keeps me hanging on. I’ve been telling my son in the struggles he has had this year, that this is all temporary… the things we go through will not go on forever.
But when it goes on for a long and dark time, we lose sight of hope… hope deferred makes the heart sick, right? I’m struggling with that right now. The hardest things I go through are those concerning my children. I need to continue to grab hold of hope (Jesus) and not let go.
You’re in a long dark Tunnel??
Come into the Light Taaaaammmm - Come into the liiigghhttt!
‘Morning SUnshine
<B
When the tunnel is at it’s darkest point I break down like a baby and cry helplessly for my Dad. He holds my hand and whispers encouragement and reminds me to keep looking ahead…the Light will appear momentarily.
His moments are much longer than mine, but I keep looking ahead…eyes fixed.
yes.
Faith…only faith. He comes through EVERY time….usually at the very last minute.
Our only job is to believe that God is who he said he is and he’ll do what he said he’ll do.
I always seem to sweat alot though when I’m in the tunnel.
As I was reading your post I was reminded of the scripture “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, Thy staff and rod…”
I was in the valley for a long time right before my wedding. I was dealing with family issues and general isolation all around. God spoke to me profoundly during that time. It was only in that valley, isolated from people, that I was able to hear from God clearly concerning His plan.
We are in a tunnel and valley for a reason. God uses that time to filter voices and opinions of the world that we may conform to His will. I don’t believe it is His intention for us to stay there and even while we’re in it, He gives us rest and relief through His favor and blessings. Praise God!
I admit I stayed in the valley even after God showed me the light to find my way out. Fear, loneliness, depresion were some of the reasons but glory to God for His patience and gentle nudgings to lead me out. HALLELUJAH!
I want to encourage everyone here to read through every comment. If you haven’t…please, please do so. I am sitting here totally blown away by the wisdom!
We are having Church here today!!!!
[...] 13, 2008 by b4dguy Tam asked what you do if you’re in a dark [...]
mmm… so good.
God’s Message came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah ?”
I said, “A walking stick—that’s all.”
And God said, “Good eyes! I’m sticking with you.
I’ll make every word I give you come true.”
Jer. 1: 11-12 (message)
Tam, I’m still standing on this verse, instead of the name Jeremiah I put in Heidi. As long as I know that God is “sticking” to me, I’m at peace.
Of course I would be lying to you if I said there wasn’t a dark tunnel or two..three.. four… but I stand on the verse above. From the bottom of my soul I reach out to calm my fears, smooth my anxiety, and to build my confidence.
Are there days?? yeah friend and that’s why I have holes in the knees of my pants.
“Do you ever feel like you are going through the longest tunnel ever?!”
Yes, a couple of years ago I went through the tunnel of my life! I felt numb inside but by faith I would dance and sing and believe that I was free despite how I felt.
I agree and relate to many if not all of the comments above, but the first words that came to my mind were:
“Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
and there will be an end to these troubles,
but until that day comes,
still I will praise You, still I will praise You.
Oh no, You never let go,
through the calm & through the storm
Oh no, You never let go, in every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go,
Lord, You never let go of me.”
- Matt Redman
Ditto,
D-
Trust that God desires what is best for me.
Tag!
http://sirrobertsworld.blogspot.com/2008/05/deb-has-tagged-me-requirements.html
I remember through our townhouse situation feeling as though we were not going through a tunnel but just sitting there not moving at all. Maybe even going backwards. I found a great verse in Ecc 5:1-2 that I posted about in a different context. Your post got me thinking…
“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”
Many times we sat in the tunnel and just had to be quiet for awhile. We learned so much about the value of basking in God’s presence instead of clamoring for answers. And now we travel in another tunnel until my neck gets “fixed”. Perhaps that was our “training” for this one.
Like Papa I have 60+ years of experience. The experience of both success and failure, joy, love and pain.
I don’t think there is any secret to getting through life. From reading all these post we all know it takes faith, trust and confidence to keep moving forward and not getting stuck in our tunnels.
Me and Papa don’t have super powers, well he does have Mama.
It does take having the faith to put you foot forward into the darkness and walk out of that tunnel one step at a time. The thing with tunnels is there is often a train coming at you from the other direction. It is a lot better to get moving out of the tunnel then to sit there and get hit by that train.
The darkest tunnel that I have been through was 1990 through 1993 - 4 full years! But through it all I kept my faith. I had two super powers - Christ and Mama (your right Ed, she is a super power!). I never gave up, but I sure did ask why and I never felt that God rejected me because I asked why - He understands. Always remember - HE LOVES YOU!
Great quote. I think anyone living has dealt with their share of tunnels, but as long as our hand is in the Lords or better yet we are in HIS arms we can make it.
It seems just knowing there will be an end to the trial often gives me the endurance needed to make it through to the other end. I know eternity is coming and its going to be worth it all when we see Jesus! (to borrow from a hymn)
Tam,
I went through a tunnel today and thought about this post.
What keeps me going is that I have never heard of a dead-end at the end of the tunnel. There is always light on the other side.
BA
I’ve been thinking about this all day, trying to come up with an honest answer. I think there was a time when I was so impulsive and would’ve jumped the train and walked back down the tunnel the direction I’d come. It was a comfort thing. New things freaked me out.
Then after I turned 30, I became more myself than I’ve ever been and life has thrown me so many curve balls that it doesn’t phase me as much, nor do I have the time or energy to think about it that much. I guess I just ingest it and move along to the next dirty diaper or clogged toilet. You know what I’m trying to say?
It’s not very spiritual, but it’s the truth.
Wow great post.I don’t think I could have ever made it through some of the tunnels had God not allowed for raw honesty in his relationships. Knowing I have the grace to vent, the freedom to protest and get up and express my discomfort with the situation enables me to go back, find my seat on the train, sit down and wait for him to deliver. he always seems to do just that.
Tonight it was a song that helped push me through.
Made Me Glad~
I will bless the Lord forever
I will trust Him at all times
He has delivered me from all fear
He has set my feet upon a rock
I will not be moved
And I’ll say of the Lord
You are my shield, my strength
My portion, deliverer
My shelter, strong tower
My very present help in time of need
Whom have I in heaven but You
There’s none I desire beside You
You have made me glad
And I’ll say of the Lord
You are my shield, my strength
My portion, deliverer
My shelter, strong tower
My very present help in time of need
Man, that’s a great quote. It feels like we are in one stinking long tunnel right now. I know that I’m “supposed” to be full of faith and trusting God but I don’t always act that way.
Brad Ruggles
http://www.bradruggles.com
there are two “tunnels” that come to mind for me… 2 1/2 years of not being able to bear a child…now we have a 1 year old beautiful girl…the hope of one day being a father kept me on the train!!!
the second is a search for a full time ministry position…God has given me both small opportunities and even bigger ones from time to time, to serve in leadership roles…the joy and fulfillment that i receive from those opportunities keeps me on the train…
Oh yes, I have been there. I love Corrie’s quote.