Tunnels

We have all driven through tunnels, literally, and when we are in them there is not much room to move around… but always we know that there will be light at the end of the tunnel… whether they be short ones or long ones….right? Well, there are tunnels that we go through in life too. Here are just a few thoughts on tunnels. 

1. Tunnels allow huge boats to cross above. When we’re in a tunnel we have no idea what’s going on above. We have all been in a place in our lives where it may seem nothing’s happening but God, in his plan,  is moving and shifting big things into place. God is leading and all the pieces of HIS puzzle are not in position yet.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9 (NIV)

2. In a tunnel, you can only see directly what lies in front of you. As Christians, we can be assured God is driving the car in front of us, He knows where He’s going, and all we must do is simply follow Him. In life, all we can see is today. Therefore, we must live today to the best of our ability, focus on the task at hand, and trust God to reveal more information in time.

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Matthew 8:23 (NIV)

3. In a tunnel, we can’t change lanes. Most of us have experienced God placing us in a position we didn’t choose. Sometimes, we want a new assignment, but don’t you think God is saying, trust where I have allowed you to be. Just keep your eyes on me.

"Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!" 1 Samuel 12:16 (NIV)

So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Deuteronomy 5:32 (NIV)

4. Once we’re in the tunnel, there’s no turning back. If we’ve committed to going into the tunnel, guess what? No U-turns. No stopping. Not even an emergency lane. In fact, if we attempt any of those things, we will cause a dangerous accident affecting everyone else in the tunnel. We’ve all known believers who turned away and quit. Look around at the damage they left behind—pain, hurt, disappointment, divorce, disease, and even death.

Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path. Psalms 44:18 (NIV)

5. There’s light at the end of a tunnel. I love when light appears, and I can finally see I’m almost at the end. Any anxiety I feel disappears, and I know I’m going to make it out ok.

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you." Isaiah 60:1 (NIV)

6. Every tunnel takes us to the other side. What’s on the other side? Daylight, fresh air, an open sky, a panoramic view, a new place, a destination, fresh hope, and a bright future — all good things!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

If you are traveling through a life tunnel, no matter how short or long it is, our greatest resource of comport is to trust God and stay close to Him — pray, listen, and pray some more. It’s never easy or enjoyable in the tunnel, but it’s only temporary, even if sometimes it seem like forever, We will make it to the other side!



"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9 (NIV)

“The grand essentials of happiness,” wrote Allan Chalmers, “are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”

Nobody can take away the power of hope unless you let him. Hope is as essential to life as oxygen is to your human body.

Do you ever ask yourself, “Why am I so down?” Is the answer because God has failed you? Has He gone home, and turned off voice mail for a little uncluttered time? No–of course not. Is it because He is powerless to change the circumstances which greatly trouble you? In effect, worry says, “God, my problem is bigger than You are. I’m not sure that You can handle this for me, so I guess I’m on my own to figure this thing out.”

Can anybody turn out the light at the end of the tunnel? No–but somebody or something can surely stand between you and the light, blocking its radiance. And if it has happened to you, there’s only one thing to do: move! Do something different, Change your focus. TUNNEL UNDER.. Push your way the past the past, and focus on the hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.

The first step is making the decision to get on with life and do something about your gloom. 

“And only I can determine/ What kind of day it will be./ It can be busy and sunny, laughing/ and gay; or boring and cold, unhappy and gray./ My own state of mind is the determining key,/ For I am only the person I let myself be./ I can be thoughtful and do all I can to help,/ Or be selfish and think just of myself./ I can enjoy what I do and make it seem fun;/ Or gripe and complain and make it hard on someone./ I can be patient with those who may not understand/ Or belittle and hurt them as much as I can./ But, I have faith in myself and/ believe what I say/ And I personally intend to make/ THE BEST OF TODAY.” AUTHOR UNKNOWN

I’m convinced that only we ourselves can allow clouds to obscure the light at the end of the tunnel. Praising God for what He is and what He has done, allows us to realize He is the light at the end of the tunnel, and nothing can obscure that when we stay focused on Him.

If you find yourself stuck in tunnel traffic with mindful thoughts or anxiety, fear, depression, and overshadowing hopelessness or if you are just traveling through a tunnel at slow pace, stand on God’s truth that there is a light at the other side and a tunnel is merely a pathway to get us from one side to another of our journey.  

As a footnote:  Some of these thoughts were taken from Harold Sala’s “Guidelines” and Lori Wilkerson Stewart’s “Lessons in the Tunnel”. 

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!

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