What Now?

By: Wendy Sanders

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

When we're in the middle of a trial, we anticipate the day it will end. When it ends, we're relieved it's finally over. But sometimes, we can have a sense of what now? We may doubt it's really over and fear it will return. Does this sound familiar?

The prophet Elijah experienced this struggle. 1 Kings 18 describes one of Elijah's trials when he confronted 850 of Baal and Asherah's prophets. He confronted them on Mount Carmel to show them God was greater than the "little g" gods they worshipped. God miraculously showed up, but right after this victory we see Elijah running from Jezebel in fear.

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 1 Kings 19:3-4

Elijah had seen God perform many miracles, and he knew that God was on his side. His trial ended successfully, but his fear convinced him that he was the only "man of God" left. What happened? Elijah was overwhelmed by the what now. In 1 Kings 19:15, God told Elijah to “Go back the way you came..." If you're wondering why God sent him back to the scene of his trial, it was to show Elijah he wasn't alone.

Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him. 1 Kings 19:18

Like Elijah, God may send us back to our trials so we can be available to help someone else. others. God knew those 7,000 people needed a role model, someone who could show them what perseverance looks like. Like Elijah, we don't need to get everything right, we just need to persevere and trust God.

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. 1 Thessalonians 5:22-24 (NLT)

Persevere and trust God! He is faithful to finish the work He started, and He may want to use us to help someone else!