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(post title is from the opening of a Caedmon's Call song - "Trouble")

Faith and patience are difficult items. It's easy to write about and advise about, but living it with the type of situation I/we are in is a completely different thing. A friend wrote about "shifting sand" (another Cademon's Call reference) today and it's amazing how one's heart can go all over the place, even when there is evidence of God having done great things and real progress being made.

I've been a fan of "The Upper Room" since Harvey introduced it to me and while I've ignored far more than I have started to consider over the past 10 years, the daily e-mails (along with the devotional materials I use daily) are wonderful. I was having another "shifting sand" morning (despite a good 4AM time) and finally got around to reading today's e-mail update.

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. -James 1:2-5 (NRSV)

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. -2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

A great deal of damage was done over a great deal of time. It's supposed to hurt. It's going to take time. The outcome is (as it always has been) in God's very capable hands and He will be on the other side of it either way.