Janelle Esker Let’s face it, life can be painful from time to time. For some believers, there are even long seasons of grief, illness, and depression. As God’s beautiful creation, created in His image, we all possess cherished hopes and dreams. Today, let us encourage each other with the truth of God’s Word. Here are life-giving reasons to hope when you have given up.
Shortly after deciding to write this article, I ended up in bed for three weeks with an autoimmune flare. Over the last 20 years, I have learned how to manage my disease through diet, prayer, and medication. I have a few flares each year that lasts about one week. However, after being in bed and in pain for a couple of weeks, honestly, my hope disappeared and I began to despair. My mind raced with all the possible doomsday scenarios and I fully expected another hospitalization.
In a crisis, we must lead with our minds and not rely on our feelings. Trusting the truth of Scripture to return hope to our souls.
The world’s definition of hope is to desire with anticipation, to want something to happen or be true. As Christians, our definition of hope takes on a much deeper meaning. As the song so aptly states, My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. Our hope is in Christ our Savior, rather than in a feeling of expectation or desire for a certain thing to happen.
Life-Giving Reasons To Hope When You Have Given Up
- This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. – Acts 4:11-12
- You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God! – Psalm 119:114-115
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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. – John 14:27
Whether or not I end up in the hospital, my hope is not deterred. For the record, I did not end up in the hospital for which I am grateful. However, spending many hours in prayer and Bible reading helped me clarify what I was putting my hope in. Was it a desired outcome or was it my Savior? I determined to put my hope in Jesus and not in wishful thinking or a result. God has a plan for my life and yours. May we each walk in obedience to the will of God.
YOUR TURN…
What is one reason you can come up with today that returns hope when you have given up?
Peacefully Yours,
Janelle
