God has me thinking a lot about “hope”. Hope. Maybe because there’s so much in this life that tries to steal our hope. Maybe because He wants to bring me more and more freedom as I rest in hope. Maybe because I’m speaking on hope at the end of the month. But even without His full disclosure as to why, I’ve been thinking a lot about hope.

Not hope that everything will go as I want it to go. Not hope that I won’t have to suffer in this life. Not hope that everyone will do what they’re supposed to do so I can be happy. But hope, faith, certainty that my God will be God.

 

 

There’s definitely stuff in this life worthy of a good dose of momentary hopelessness. You know — those plan-altering, breath-taking circumstances. And God is patient with our limited human perspective. He is. He remembers that we can’t see past this moment — toys strewn everywhere, dishes piled up high, and phone calls that change the course of our lives. He remembers.

But there’s a beauty that comes with rest of soul. When, even through human tears and questions, we wrestle our hearts into saying, “God, I need You. I trust You. I believe You. Grace me with Your vision that I might walk through this mess in agreement with Your will.”

G r a c e   m e
w i t h   Y o u r   v i s i o n .

A young woman gave her testimony at our church on Sunday. When she was three years old her liver failed. She had complication after complication from the surgery. Her parents prayed and received God’s promised grace. And she was fully healed. Then at age 15 she had deadly levels of E. coli growing in her body. God graciously spared her. Now in her early 20’s God is sending her to the most crime-infested city in the United States to bring the hope of Jesus to people desperate for some light.

God had a plan. And though we can’t fully understand, nor do we want it, His plan sometimes includes faith-building seasons of suffering.

From what she said, it seems her parents remained steadfast — believing their God to be faithful. I’m sure emotions came. I’m sure momentary hopelessness surfaced. But it reminded me. Again.

Imagine how our soul might be if we always began with truth. The mess comes, it takes away our breath, but we stand firm. Not because we’re certain that things will go like we want them to go, but because we’re certain that God will be God.

I know it’s easier said than done. I know that resting in His goodness when things seem to be spinning out of control and we’re choking with questions could very well be the most challenging thing we do as humans. Because our hearts have a strong opinion. But the fact is that worrisome control isn’t our inheritance in Christ. Peace is our inheritance. Peace that flows from hope.

 

Peace I leave with you;
my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27

 

God does have a plan. He does. And His plans are always for His glory and for the good of His children. Always. That eternal “good” might be attained through a painful valley, but it is good, nonetheless. Because sanctification is good. Freedom is good. Faith is good. And our God is forever good.

 

 

How to stir up hope when life is crumbling:

• Ask for prayer from trusted friends. We weren’t meant to walk this life alone.
• Be raw and real with God. He already knows.
• Remind your soul of what He says in His Word. If He said it, then it’s truth.
• Give yourself grace to be a mess. He’s patient and loving and kind and remembers we’re dust.
• Sing praise.

 

 

 
Fill me, Lord…

How do you define hope?
In what promises or truths of God are you currently resting and hoping?
 

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