Nine months ago, when a dear friend told me she was expecting a baby, I congratulated her, then I reminded God that this particular friend and I had talked for years about being pregnant together one day. Knowing that He’s my Father, who I can ask for more than just my needs, I asked Him for my simple wants. “God, I want to be pregnant alongside THIS friend.” Well, she just had her baby, and I’m not pregnant.

He didn’t answer that prayer with a yes.

Back in March I had a minor surgery. With my husband’s consent, I put our personal business on the internet once again, and asked everyone we knew to pray that THIS would be the turning point after all of our years of trying to conceive. I have never felt so covered in prayer as I did on March 17. Yet I’m still not pregnant.

He hasn’t answered that prayer yet.

Way back in February 2012 we attended a church service, and the minister walked up to us and prophesied God’s words of hope to us – including “kids are coming very soon… your children- not just everybody else’s children.” Well over four years later, I’m still pouring my love out to everybody else’s children, dreaming of my own, and wishing God had said VERY VERY soon.

That prophetic word hasn’t come to pass yet.

Time and time and time again, I have wondered, “Is this it? Is this the turning point?” Is THIS my divine moment? And month after month, then year after year I’ve been disappointed.

Maybe you’re also dealing with the ugly monster called infertility.

Or maybe you’re struggling with your financial situation.

Wrestling with fear.

Overwhelmed at the tasks before you.

Maybe you’re standing in prayer to see a loved one turn toward Christ.

Or you’re pleading with God for your marriage.

Maybe you’re asking God for a breakthrough in your emotions as you grieve.

Or you’re facing the challenges of raising a child with a disability.

Whatever your disappointment may be, whatever struggle you’re facing, I’m sure you’ve either felt this recently or are experiencing a desire for breakthrough NOW.

What do we do when breakthrough doesn’t happen?

I’ve reached out to Jesus like this woman who spent all her money on doctors and still wasn’t healed. My healing hasn’t come in an instant.

I’ve been prophesied to like the Shunnamite woman who was told she’d have a baby. I don’t have my baby yet.

I’ve felt a little numb from the disappointment. I’ve certainly felt like quitting, although I don’t plan to quit until I reach fifty-something.

What do I do when God doesn’t answer these prayers?

I could quit. I could say I’m done. But God hasn’t said it’s finished, my heart is weary but not ready to quit, and my husband isn’t giving up on our hopes of parenthood, so we’re not quitting.

So we press on. We endure this race set before us, realizing it’s an ultra-marathon, not a 5k. We trust God, and we say, “You are still good. You are our hope.” It’s hard, in fact, it’s very, very difficult, and sometimes I hit rock bottom emotionally, but we’re doing the only things we can do: we choose to trust God and press on.

Luke 18:1 (NIV)