When You Aren’t Seeing Any Progress

So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.”   …So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed! - 2 Kings 5:9-10, 14

Have you ever been asking God to do something in your life, praying that He would work something out, but there seemed to be no apparent progress that anything was changing? Yeah, me too. It can become so frustrating and discouraging when you keep praying and praying and praying, and yet it seems like God is sitting still and stagnant. 

Every time I feel this way, I’m reminded of the story of Naaman. Naaman was a successful army commander and a mighty warrior, however he suffered from leprosy. After dealing with the disease for some time, Naaman was told if he would go visit the prophet Elisha, he could be healed of his leprosy. So that’s exactly what Naaman did. 

However, Elisha’s method of healing turned out to be pretty unconventional. When Naaman came to Elisha, he was told to go dip himself in the Jordan River seven times, and he would be healed. After initially being annoyed and frustrated with Elisha’s suggested solution, Naaman went down to the Jordan River and did what he was told. 

Now, what I want you to realize about Naaman's story is this: Naaman didn’t see any progress in his healing each time he got into the river. It’s not like after the fourth or fifth time the leprosy started to fade. No, Scripture doesn’t say he was healed until he finished dipping himself in the river the seventh time. 

My point? You don’t always get to see the progress God is making in answering your prayers. You don’t always get a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes footage. Your only job is to continue to be faithful in your obedience as you follow Christ. Because when it comes down to it, you have no idea all that God is doing and all the progress He’s making that you can’t even see. 

So even if it feels like nothing is happening, even if God seems silent and still, trust that He is always working, even when you aren’t seeing any progress.