Hope is a risk, to believe that something good will happen, all will work out, and that dreams do come true. According to Merriam-Websters definition it means: to cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true; archaic: trust; to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment. What if things don’t go as you hoped? Your response or reaction can be revealing.
- When have your hopes come true? What was your reaction/response to God and others? Did you express gratitude?
- We all have experienced loss of hope-recall such a time in your life, what was your reaction/response to God, others? How did you move forward from the loss?
Our relationship with God involves hope- hope that God saves (2 Timothy 1:9) and redeems our life (Psalm 103:4), will be our ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). Our relationship with God also involves trusting that God is working in all things (Romans 8:28) even when things are awkward, or you feel God has forgotten you, blessed someone else but not you. We might get stuck in the story “if God loved me this wouldn’t have happened”.
- What resentment do you have against God? What are you holding God responsible for in your life? Perhaps it’s towards another person, but it is impacting your relationship with God. What can you do today to begin to surrender this resentment?
- What do you know about God? Make a list. Spend some time exploring the Bible to discover what it says about who God is- (Google is Really helpful on this!)
Our struggles in one season can become our strength in the next season. When Jesus died on the cross, the disciples could not see how anything good could come from His death. (Matthew 27) And then the resurrection happened! (Matthew 28) God’s hand was at work even when His own Son gave his life. (John 3:16) “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13)
- What challenge is currently impairing your hope that God is working in your life? What are you expecting to happen? How are you participating in this process? (Prayer, petition, trust, surrender)
- What do you do when you feel you have God’s ‘left’ hand? Do you feel God is blessing others and you have been left out?
- What do you currently have for which you have not expressed gratitude?
When we read the Bible accounts of men and women who experienced loss and recovered, and overcame obstacles, we can see God’s hand throughout because we know the ‘rest of the story’. Your story is still being written. When we trust God with our life, we place our life in His hands and God writes the story for His glory! Our testimonies of how God redeemed us, provided for us, held us in the difficult times, encourage us and others to keep hoping in God’s plan. Hold On Pain Ends.
You gotta hold to His hand God’s unchanging hand
You gotta build your hopes on things eternal
My God will never let you down
Weeping may endure for the night
But if you trust in Jesus
Everything’s gonna be all right
Just hold on a little while longer
(Hold On, artist: Selah)
