When The End Is Out of Sight: Choosing an Eternal Perspective in Hard Times
Biking from Waveland to Bay St. Louis
Riding a bike in the rain is mostly nobody’s idea of a good time. But I’m being perfectly honest when I say riding our e-bikes to Bay St. Louis in Mississippi was an absolutely stellar experience, even on a rainy day. And it’s a great example of how a simple perspective shift changes how we think about life’s storms.
Yes, we got cold and wet. But also, we knew it wouldn’t be for long. At the end of the ride hot showers and comfy recliners in front of the fireplace were waiting. When the end is in sight, we can put up with a lot.
E-bikes for the Win
Buccaneer State Park, Mississippi, is a wonderful Gulf-side place to camp. And with a nice walking/biking path along the shore, pedaling the six miles from our campsite in Waveland to Bay St. Louis was too inviting to ignore. The sun was shining and the ocean was gorgeous as we began pedaling. Yes, rain was in the forecast; not really a surprise for a December day, but it wasn’t due to start until late afternoon.
Arriving in Bay St. Louis, we explored the lighthouse and the Alice Mosely Folk Art Museum, followed by lunch at Butcher Block Steakhouse. Roger might have moaned a little with pleasure at every bite of his po' boy with pork belly and tomato jam.
Heading back to the campground, ominous clouds were already building ahead of us, a full two hours before the predicted rain. Switching up to level four on the e-bikes’ Pedal Assist System, our legs spun furiously, but to no avail. For the last three miles, the only dry portions on our bodies were sitting on the bike seats.
Quickly parking our bikes in our “garage” (under the front end of the fifth wheel), we scrambled inside to much-anticipated hot showers and recliners.
When the End is in Sight
Maybe you’ve said it yourself: “I can handle most anything if I know it won’t be forever.” It was true for us during our rainy ride. During a three-week mission trip in Africa, it was the mantra that helped me stay open and engaged. Back in school days, it helped us get through tough exams. And when rocky times at work or church threatened our sanity, reminding ourselves that it wouldn't be forever brought a measure of calm.
When It Isn’t
But how do we endure hard times when no end is in sight? When we have no expectation that anything can or will change for the better? When no hot shower or comfy recliner is waiting?
That's when an eternal perspective offers hope. And changes mind-numbing anxiety into peace.
In my book, Turning Your Inner Bullies Into Allies, I relate a time when Roger and I were living with prolonged financial uncertainty. In fact, we were headed for rock bottom and bankruptcy was looming. All because Roger gave up a high-paying job for a part-time ministry position.
What kept us going was the certainty that God was orchestrating our lives; surely, we thought, He would provide for the financial side of things. But as the months dragged on, it became more difficult to be light-hearted about the situation. Contentment was elusive. Satisfaction wasn’t just a short bike ride away. The end wasn’t in sight.
The questions roiled in our minds: Is there a problem with our faith? Will God come through for us? Maybe he wants us to suffer? But if I have to suffer like this, how can I encourage anyone else to follow Him?
Choosing Eternal Perspective During Hard Times
Even that story, which did have a satisfactory ending (read the book to find out what happened), doesn’t reflect the seemingly endless struggles some of us live with every day. Realities like chronic illness, dysfunctional relationships, or grief.
When the end isn’t in sight and hope is slowly dying, the perspective bully tells us this is as good as it gets. The future is bleak and despair becomes our constant companion.
But this is also where reshaping the perspective bully into an ally can make the darkest days more bearable. When we deliberately choose an eternal rather than a temporal perspective, tomorrow is less terrifying. For believers, an eternal perspective means recognizing our status as sojourners, temporary residents in this world. We live in the unshakeable kingdom of God. We are his children, and He guarantees we’ll inherit more than we can imagine. With this in mind, we can honestly say, “It is well with my soul,” even through our tears.
And that’s not all. God never intended for us to drag along in this life just waiting for heaven. He promised to comfort us (Psalm 34:18), give us wisdom (James 1:5-6), and to use His power to do more through us than we could ever ask or imagine right here on earth (Ephesians 3:20). Even in the middle of our toughest times.
God doesn't always choose to change our circumstances. He changes us, because He cares more about our growth as His children.
You and I can't always outrace the storm, but we can choose how we handle it. We can choose Who to ask for help. And we can discover joy in spite of pain, comfort in the moment, and peace that doesn’t make sense yet is no less real.
I may not be in a life storm today, but believe me, I've been there before and fully expect to be there again someday. So this is one of those truths I'm holding onto myself even as I share it with you.
If we're pedaling as fast as we can and the storm still overtakes us, gently shifting our thoughts toward eternal realities just might feel like a hot shower and a comfy recliner.
What helps you even when the end is nowhere in sight? Share in the comments—your story may help someone else.
If you enjoyed this “outracing the storm” story, you might like this post:
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