Groan, Groan

A few years ago, I remember a day when my state of mind was “Groan, groan.” Ever felt that way? A woman in the YMCA locker room even commented on my loud sigh. I didn’t think it was that obvious.

I’m not sure what set me off. Maybe it was Mom going to the bathroom three times within 15 minutes. She would forget she went so would run and go again, making us late for wherever we were heading. That’s Alzheimer’s for you. Perhaps my granddaughter’s refusal to read any of the books we borrowed from the library added to my aggravation. The jaw pain I thought was finally improving returned with a vengeance, making eating difficult.

It’s easy to be discouraged, says the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5, verses 1-4. We aren’t in heaven yet, and sometimes “we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling.” Things will be perfect there, but we haven’t arrived yet. So, we “groan and are burdened.” We don’t realize how much we long for our eternal home, until we find ourselves feeling downright grumpy.

In verses 5-10, the Lord reminds us of the Holy Spirit being “a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” If we walk in the Spirit, He will give us confidence that God has us right where He wants us for now. “We live by faith, not by sight.” One day we’ll see the greater purpose for our lives on earth. Here our faith gives us confidence to “make it our goal to please Him.” God knows all we face, and He will reward us for doing what is good and right, in spite of the occasional groaning.