When answers to prayer look different than we wanted, it can be difficult to stay hopeful. But as we trust in God and His promises to us, we can find joy in the here and now—knowing our stories will always end with “happily ever after” when we keep our covenants.
Staisha Sheffield recently joined Morgan Pearson on an episode of the All In podcast to share how covenants helped her find peace during her son’s difficult medical challenges.
When Staisha was pregnant with her fourth child, she had an eclampsia seizure. She needed to have an emergency C-section, and her son, Clay, came into the world at only 28 weeks. Although Staisha’s family fasted and prayed for Clay’s health, he developed severe cerebral palsy and infections that resulted in a brain injury called periventricular leukomalacia, which limits his ability to see and process what he hears.
“I know there was power and protection given to Clay at the times that he really needed, and also, it didn’t end up the way that we wanted,” Staisha says. “And that’s okay. I had to redefine [my expectations]. Like, it’s not the miracle that we were hoping for, but it’s still a miracle that he’s here. And he is here to teach me as a mom, as our family, what we need to learn.”
Doctors expected Clay to live for only three or four months, but miraculously, he is now nearly two years old. Although the time ahead remains uncertain, Staisha says that she finds comfort by trusting in God’s promises:
“When I’ve prayed for things and it didn’t end up the way that I wanted, sometimes, my mortal brain is just like: Why is it happening this way?
“And then I remember it doesn’t really matter right now. Because I’ve been promised that the eternities are going to work themselves out, that this mortal life is for me to prepare to meet God, to trust, and to make these covenants. …
“The end of this story … is going to be incredible if we choose to keep living our covenants. And that’s, I think, what keeps it in perspective is God will not back out on His promises. … It all is going to work out.”
This knowledge has given her peace “which passeth all understanding,” allowing her to feel joy even when it doesn’t make sense.
In a personal Instagram post, Staisha wrote, “I've been thinking a lot about the power of the very small yet powerful word ‘and.’ It’s the link that can bring together so much: feeling overwhelmed and peaceful, hurt and healing, processing and regression, love and pain.”
Through it all, Staisha and her family have been able to find joy in the present moment by trusting the Lord’s promises.
“I’m going to choose to live right now,” she says. “I already know the ending of this story, and this story is pretty great. We have made covenants that whatever happens, this story ends up that we’re going to be together.”
Listen to the full episode in the player below or on your favorite streaming platform.
For more about trusting in God’s promises, check out the articles below.
▶ My husband’s cancer leaves then returns. How I find brighter light in deepening dark
▶ 5 insights to fill you with hope as you encourage others on the covenant path
▶ If prophetic counsel feels at odds with your circumstances, find hope in Sariah’s experience
