“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.”
Romans 15:13
What can you grasp onto when all else falls through the cracks?
What carries you through times of grief?
What inspires endurance within to “run your race” well?
Hope.
At the beginning of this year, I was off to a bumpy start. A change in my relationship status and I was running low on hope. Maybe this year hasn’t looked the way you expected, either. Maybe you’ve had your dreams shattered recently. If you have, you know it takes strength to hope again. To hope in spite of disappointment. To not slumber and stay there. What’s the point? You’ve been disappointed time after time.
So together, let’s cry out to Jesus because we deeply desire renewed hope.
The deep desire for renewed hope comes from a place of fighting disappointment. Oxford’s English Dictionary defines hope as “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” We all make plans in our hearts. We have expectations and dreams for our lives and when things don’t line up, boom. Disappointment appears. Here on earth, our faith and our feelings live in tension. It takes faith to believe in God, and furthermore, to believe that he is a good God. When the outcomes of our circumstances reflect anything less than good, our feelings tend to take control. Feelings can lead us to believe something different than the truth. God never promised us easy times, but he does promise to be there when hard times strike. Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” He promises his presence.
Disappointment can also appear when we pick up loads (i.e., relationships, extracurriculars, a new role at work) and carry them on our backs; ones that he never intended for us to carry on our own in the first place. We become overwhelmed, then cry out to the Lord. Look at what he lovingly does when we cry out:
“I relieved your shoulder of the burden; your hands were freed from the basket. In distress you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.”
Psalm 81:6-7
He answers us, relieves us of the burdens, and then sets our hands free.
When we choose to stay in our disappointment, questions about God’s character begin to surface in our minds. We think, “Surely God has something better in store.” Or because we’re at a standstill in a waiting season, something good is bound to come walking around the corner any day now. Though I can’t promise that you’ll see your answered prayer today, or any day on this earth, I do know that God has something great in store and only those who have hope till the end will see every single promise fulfilled. By the power of the Holy Spirit, it is possible to abound in hope as Romans 15:13 says.
The Holy Spirit gives us insight into the thoughts and ways of the Lord (as they are not our own) and with that, we plan. We prepare. But it is he who walks us through the nuances of our everyday life, weaving us through his will, his perfect plan. I’m reminded of Proverbs 16:9: “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” We get to make the decision to take part in that. When our hearts are aligned with the Father, we find that even in disappointments, we can still trust in his goodness because we know that his plan is to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). So if that means we have to face disappointment here on earth in order to grasp onto the longing of a future in heaven, then come what may.
When we find ourselves running low on hope, let’s recall the character of Christ.
When we find ourselves running low on hope, let’s recall the expectation of heaven.
When we find ourselves running low on hope, let’s recall the joy of our salvation.
When we find ourselves running low on hope, let’s recall the strength of our Savior.
I’ve been there, friend. I’ve called out to God and asked that he show me a glimmer of hope. A picture of something I can look forward to. And you know how he responds? He responds with his presence, just like Isaiah 43:2 says. He responds in gentleness and kindness. We can take comfort in knowing that Jesus walked on earth—equal parts of him man and God. He is well acquainted with our grief.
Let’s allow this season to be one where our trust in Christ grows deeper. We want our faith to be tested so that it may be refined. James 1:3-4 says, “For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” We want this season (however unpleasant it may be) to have its full life. Because once God says it’s complete, the outcome is that we are made more mature and will more beautifully reflect our Savior.
Prayer for Today
Jesus, like your Word says, “Uphold me, according to your promise that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope” (Psalm 119:116). My hope is in you alone, so let it be my anchor. Let it run deeper than my doubt and disappointment. Remind me of your goodness and your promises. When I feel low on hope, when I feel discouraged, when I feel alone in my grief, would you wrap your presence tight around me? I will recall the joy of my salvation and my belief that you are a good God and your plans for me are good. You know me Lord. You formed me and knit me together. You know every part of me. May I trust in your timing as I release control. I let go of my expectations and ask that your will would be done in my life as I surrender to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
- When walking through disappointment and hurt, it’s easy to want to push the painful memories aside. But healing only comes so long as you choose to walk through the pain, head-on, with the Holy Spirit’s help. Journaling has always provided me with clarity as I read on past feelings during tough seasons. Write out what you’re disappointed about. What was the hope you once had for that opportunity, situation, relationship, etc.? What lies have you believed? What does God’s Word say to combat those lies?
- “Let him put his mouth in the dust—there may yet be hope” (Lamentations 3:29). Kneel before the Lord (as the verse says, mouth in the dust); go to him in prayer so that hope may abound. Feast on God’s Word. Get into the Psalms and read them aloud. Write verses of hope onto note cards and hang them in your bedroom, bathroom mirror, or car dashboard.
- Meet with a friend. Kind words are like honey, and time with a trusted friend is healing for the soul. Go outside. The devil wants nothing more than to paralyze you with the fear of moving forward. Isolation is a breeding ground for lies to enter your mind. Keep your physical body active and in good company, while resting your mind and soul in the Spirit.
Photo credit: Michael Marcagi
Katelyn Motsinger is the creator ofUnder the Canopy Online—a blog and small business. Whether it be through her poetry, songs, or devotionals, her greatest hope is that her words would reconnect the Father's heart to yours. For more of her writings, visithttp://www.underthecanopyonline.comor follow@underthecanopyonlineon Instagram.
