Hope

Whether it’s a difficult day or a long season filled with disappointment after disappointment, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged. I’ve had days where I feel like I can’t catch a break or seasons when I’ve wondered if my situation was ever going to change. I know you have, too.

You live through days when…

You feel burdened, dejected, worn out.

You wonder if there’s a point to any of it.

You are overcome with worry.

Your situation feels hopeless.

You’re waiting for the other shoe to drop.

You believe that nothing good can come out of this.

The Bible is filled with men and women who experience grief and devastation, and whose lives look different than expected. Their stories teach us that we are not alone when our lives play out in a way that we would never have chosen for ourselves. 

The disappointment we feel is real and okay to acknowledge. God wants us to bring everything to Him–including the places where we wonder what He’s up to, and if He’s even doing anything at all. 

Sometimes the situations that feel the most hopeless are the situations that bring us closer to God as we learn to rely on Him and find our hope in Him–the only One who will never leave us, forsake us, or let us down.

Through our pain and our questions, may we pray like Job, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). May we remember who God is and keep our focus on His character, His promises, and His Truth when we are desperate for hope.

What are more Bible verses that show us why we can put our hope in God:

Lamentations 3:21-23 “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Romans 5:5 “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Isaiah 40:30-31 “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Romans 15:13 “ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

God,

Thank You for your nearness to me and Your sovereignty over my life. Thank You for the hope I have in Jesus—for Your unconditional love and forgiveness. Thank You for promising to “work all things for the good of those who love you, who are called according to your purpose” (Romans 8:28) When my situation seems hopeless, turn my attention back to You and help me to find hope in You alone. I love You and I trust You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.