Finding Faith in Frustration

I’ve been dealing with dizziness for over nine weeks now. Nine weeks of constant frustration, waiting for relief, hoping each day will be the day when everything feels "normal" again. To be honest, it’s exhausting. And I know I’m not alone. Many of us have experienced the reality of chronic illness, the kind that doesn’t go away quickly and that affects every part of life. If you're walking through a long-term illness right now, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

There’s this idea, sometimes unspoken, that as Christians, we’re supposed to handle suffering with unwavering grace and endless patience. But let's be real for a moment—it's hard. When illness drags on, it not only wears on our bodies but also on our spirits. The frustration builds, and sometimes, so does the question: “God, why?”

I don’t have a simple answer to that. We know that God walks with us, that Jesus knows what it means to suffer, and that the Holy Spirit sustains us in ways we can’t even see. But that doesn’t always make it easier in the moment, does it? We pray, we trust, and yet the dizziness (or whatever we’re facing) remains. The exhaustion of illness isn’t just physical—it’s emotional and spiritual, too.

In moments like these, I find comfort in the Psalms, particularly in the honesty of David’s cries. He doesn’t sugarcoat his pain. He doesn’t pretend that everything is fine. He brings his raw frustration and exhaustion to God, trusting that God can handle it all. And in that act of bringing it to God, there’s a release—a reminder that even when we feel at our weakest, God remains our strength.

But here's the other side of it: frustration is okay. We don’t have to pretend that dealing with illness for weeks, months, or even years is easy. God doesn’t expect us to plaster on a smile and push through as if nothing is wrong. In fact, I think God meets us most powerfully in our vulnerability. When we bring our authentic, tired, weary selves to God, we open the door for God's comfort and grace to flood those difficult spaces.

So, if you’re struggling today—whether it’s with an illness, a long-standing burden, or something that just won’t go away—I want to remind you of this: God sees you. God is with you. And it’s okay to feel frustrated, tired, and even overwhelmed. But in those moments, let’s lean into God’s presence, even as we admit that the road is tough.

Keep holding on to hope, even if it’s by a thread. God is still at work, even in the waiting, even in the frustration. Sometimes the journey is long, but we don’t walk it alone.  See you Sunday!

Peace,  Pastor Tracy