Light at the end of the tunnel

Today’s story touches on a sensitive subject: what do we do when our children get into trouble?

If you’ve ever driven through a long dark tunnel, then you know the welcome sight of sunlight that greets you at the end. Sometimes, life can be like that long dark tunnel. While you’re going through it all you can see is darkness. Maybe you’ve found yourself in this kind of situation. Maybe you’re facing a time of darkness right now. You’re going through a difficulty that seems like a long, dark tunnel without any end.

The good news is, there is an end to the darkness. It may be a long way off, but you’ve got to believe that someday, you’ll though the trial and once again be in the light.

Sometimes, life gets hard. For a parent, one of the hardest things is to watch your children suffer. I have friends whose teenage son was arrested and sent to prison. I’ve shared the grief of parents whose young child was almost crippled by a tumor in his spine. I have friends whose son had to move into a “home” for youth with emotional problems. My own children have had problems that were beyond my ability to handle alone.

The pain of these trials can be unbearable. It feels as if your heart is being ripped apart. The feeling of despair is overwhelming. You wish that you could fix the problem, but there’s nothing you can do. Sometimes, there’s very little anyone can do. When there are no answers or solutions, all we have left is pain and feelings of hopelessness.

When the bottom drops out, and it feels like you’ve been hit by a ton of bricks, don’t give up. You may not be able to handle it, but God can. I believe that if you turn to God, he will give you the strength to make it through the difficult times. The Bible says: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Seek God. Trust in him. The darkness may seem long and lonely, but God will be with you, and he will give you the strength to make it through the storm. You just have to believe that no matter how dark it gets, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

I’m Steve Lorenz. I’ve been there and know what it’s like to go through the darkness. And I’m here to tell you that there is light at the end of the tunnel.