So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)

Healing doesn’t happen in an instant. Whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual, it’s a process that takes time. Some healing takes days; others stretch into years. There’s no magic timeframe controlling when healing is complete. So, how do we keep going when healing takes longer than we hoped? We focus.

Too often we focus on the signs of healing – what’s changing, what’s working, what isn’t.  But this verse encourages us to shift our focus from the healing to the Healer. God is the source of all true healing and he’s doing it even when we can’t see the signs. It can be hard to endure but continuing to pray, trust, and obey is essential to experience the full restoration he has for us.

Keeping our eyes on God doesn’t mean we ignore the realities of healing which often include hurt, tears, and pain. Instead, it means we remind ourselves those experiences are temporary compared to the joy and peace we’ll experience with God in eternity. The healing process may be difficult but it’s not forever. Take heart in knowing that God’s plans for you include a complete healing, even if it doesn’t happen until we reach the other side.