Hope
Hope is something precious. It’s looking at the arid, dry places and seeing the possibility of life. That from the dry ground, the barren ground, something of beauty will blossom.
It is a gift from God (Ps.22:9) it is one of the great virtues (1 Cor.13:13) and it is a defining aspect of Who God is (Rom.15:13).
I have realised the hardest times for me with God, and in general, are those times where I have lost hope. Where every corner is a dead end, and every door is closed. Where I look down the road as far as I can, and all I can see is desolate. It crushes something inside.
No matter what, if there is a glimmer that God can do something, a glimmer that He can bring about something good or beautiful or true, I take hold of this hope with both hands and won’t let go. But what happens when there is no glimmer, when the situation seems impossible. When what’s done is done.
I’ve wrestled with this. Hope seems naive in those times, or a denial almost.
But even though I’m tempted to turn away from Him then, and the bleakness seems more real, I’m not going to let go of hope. Not necessarily that He’ll change the situation, but asking God to help me have hope in Him Himself, because these are the things I know –
He is good (Matt.19:17).
He will not forsake me (Heb.13:5).
It matters to Him when I struggle or feel pain – He has numbered every tear (Ps.56:8).
In all things, He is working for the good in my life, because I love Him (Rom. 8:28).
‘Do not throw away your confidence,’ He says to us, ‘it will be richly rewarded’ (Heb.10:38).
For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God Ps.38:15.
This was an incredible post. I am finally wrapping my head around his infinate love for me. The cross he beared so I would never be alone, despite myself.
xoxox,
Roxx
I posted on my blog. Let me know if problem. xoxox, Roxx
Roxx, that’s so kind, don’t mind at all, and thank you. I love what you said here about realising more and more how huge God’s love for you, is. I am so, so thankful that God has revealed how deeply He loves us, and the joy and peace that comes from knowing this.
Love to you oxo
Thank you for your post. There are times when everyone needs to be reminded of the hope we have in Christ.
God bless, Glenn
Oh Birgit, what you have written here is so good. I know exactly what you mean with hope (seemingly) being naive and a denial. I was thinking the same thing of faith. Sometimes to ‘not look at the circumstances’ but just keeping faith really does seem like one is living in ignorance or denial. But then I thought it is what God wants. He wants us to keep our focus and faith and hope in Him even if it flies in the face everything that seems rational.
I love how this verse puts it: And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.(Rom8v23-25)
I love how he says: “For who hopes for what he sees?” as if it is the silliest idea in the world:) But we want to see our hope…
Our God is faithful to make all the good things He planned for us, come to us in His good timing. So we wait:)
Thanks for this Birgit, lots of love ♥
Hope was key for making it through my most recent trial. For me, hope is hardest to cling to when it seems like the bunny the dogs chase on the race track. They almost reach it and then it is out of grasp again. I hoped I would not have health issues. But I did. So then I hoped that God would miraculously eliminate the problem without human intervention. But He didn’t. I was about to throw in the towel and resign myself to thinking, “What is the use of hope if it hasn’t ‘worked’ until now.” Then a God fearing friend who has overcome so many things in her life looked me in the eyes and said, “I am going to pray that God does whatever it takes for you to get your hope back.” She shared some scripture, some testimonies, and some truth. She wasn’t scared to step on my toes. I am so thankful for her. Later as I was thinking about what she said and it clicked. I decided to hope. (That is when I wrote the post ‘Why I Can Hope’.) Going into surgery I decided to hope that the cysts were benign. I can only say Praise be to God that there is no cancer in my body!
I cannot tell you why I had to hold on so long. I know many people who have held on longer through a cancerous ordeal. I have known many who held on, their temporal lives are ended and they have now laid hold of the eternal hope.
Yes, you speak truth when you talk of the importance of hope. I pray that you are able to hold on to hope. I pray that you see the faithfulness of the Lord in your life. I hope you hold on to hope.
Blessings to you Birgit!
Good morning. The old saying holds true. “Faith isn’t faith until it’s the only thing that one is holding on to.” To maintain hope and confidence in God when all seems to be a loss. Very encouraging thoughts.
Blessings always in Jesus name.
timbob
Hi Glenn, welcome, and thanks for your comment. It’s so true what you say about the hope we have in Christ. As I read through the references to hope in the Bible, it was so full of passages about the “blessed hope” and promise we have in Him. Many blessings to you.
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Rain, it’s so interesting you can relate to this feeling of denial that can sometimes creep in as we try to have hope or have faith in a situation. Michael and I were just talking about this again recently – finding that middle ground between being genuine and real about a situation and the feelings that come up, but then surrendering this before God with complete confidence that He is in control, and with Him, all things are possible according to His will. I just know we will have loads of fantastic conversations about these things when we get to meet up in the future Lord-willing :)
Yes, the verse you highlighted here is such a good reminder to keep on with hope, even when that hope is not yet realised. I was thinking of Hebrews 11:1 – the substance of our hope is our faith, and our faith is also the evidence of the things we don’t yet see.
Lots of love to you Rain.
P.S. Looks like they brought back the old smileys – yay! :)
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Dear @ngie, it is so good to read this testimony of the hope you had being fulfilled in the end, and as well as this, the process you went through to fight for hope. I completely understand the feeling of your hope being deflated as God did not seem to intervene in the beginning, but God is so wonderful and faithful to provide you with a friend who helped you fight to get your hope back. And now you offer the same encouragement to others – don’t give up, trust in God’s faithfulness and in His good will, hold on to hope!
Bless you @ngie, and I am so, so happy for you. With love and blessings.
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timbob, it’s always great to see you, and the saying you mention here is so encouraging and also challenging – that our faith in God is tested and proved when it’s the only thing we have to hold onto. I was reminded of 1 Peter 1:6-7 – In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Thank you for your thoughts and God bless.