Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. — Hebrews 10.23
"HOPE = Holding On with Patient Expectation" ~ Pastor Greg Laurie
A new friend whose college sweetheart walked out on his family after 19 years and 6 kids, confessed that she has no hope left. She feels incapable of recovering. She's never going to feel joy again, never legitimately smile. She's permanently broken.
An old friend whose high school sweetheart and best friend decided to ditch their spouses and play house together has been paralyzed in grief and stuck in a cycle of hopelessness for over a year. She is a shell of herself and seems unable to rally and regain her balance after that world-rocking blow.
Another friend recently discovered that his business partner committed illegal acts on behalf of their company he is president of and responsible for. So, instead of fighting a long and expensive battle in court, he's cut a plea bargain and will go to prison. It's a level of devastation he cannot yet comprehend.
Anyone who has had their life utterly capsized knows how sometimes you forget for a few moments about the thing that has crushed your heart, like while folding laundry or cooking dinner, and then WHAM! Like a 2x4 to the forehead, something reminds you of the scorching loss, the surreal new normal and the temptation floods in to sink into sadness, dwell on the hurt, let it whomp you body and soul, and stay there... flattened. Oh, sweet honey, do I know that one.
Maybe you do, too.
So many people I know are battling the same way. So many who have lost jobs, or who are in a seemingly never-ending financial crisis, or whose kids or spouse have spun out of control in anger, rebellion, and selfishness, or whose life radically changed against their best efforts to keep on course. They're all warring against those same thoughts. And it is a war!
It makes me angry at the devil that he's so darn good at his job! He learns what message will cripple you the most and whispers some version of:
"It's over."
"You'll never get out of this hole."
"You're irredeemable now."
"It's all your fault."
"Look at this wreckage! It can never be ok again."
"You've blown it too much."
"You're an embarrassment."
"You're not worth the sacrifice of real love."
"You're too this, or too that."
"You'll never be happy again."
"God can't do anything with or through you."
"What a loser!"
"You. Are. Worthless."
It's pure evil. He's out to steal our hope!
When you are walking in love, what does the enemy want to do?.. Steal it, kill it, destroy it. And you. So he sows seeds of jealousy, or disappointment, or anger, or selfish ambition, and incites one against another over and over.
When you are tithing and going on mission trips and giving a good chunk of money towards the building fund, or to a shelter for battered women, or to an orphanage, what is Satan's scheme?.. Steal it, kill it, destroy it. And you. So he reminds you of the pressure to provide, and all the things you need, and everything in the house starts to break down or need emergency replacing. Or he plants frustration. Or selfishness.
When you are fully trusting God wholeheartedly and feeling that beautiful, supernatural peace oozing through your life and home, what is the enemy dead-set to do?.. Steal it, kill it, destroy it. And you. So he reminds you of your fears, your losses, your upsets, those who have hurt you, the unrepentant betrayers, the ones who damaged you deeply. Or he lobs in a little chaos and adds a whisper of annoyance and nurses it until it grows into anger and bitterness. Or he suggests that maybe God is holding out on you after all.
When worship and thanksgiving are growing within you no matter what your circumstances are, whether happy or sad, blessed or in trial, wealthy or wanting, healthy or ill, what does the enemy set out to do with a fiery vengeance?.. Steal it, kill it, destroy it! And you! So the Serpent hisses lies about emptiness, lack, unanswered prayers, promises you've waited and waited and waited for for what seems like a lifetime, sudden and complete financial collapse, shocking betrayal from loved ones, or the death of someone far too young.
When your marriage is thriving, and both husband and wife are working side-by-side to love better and more sacrificially every day, and even to encourage couples struggling in difficult marriages, that just outrages the Devil. So what is his plan?..
The Liar turns up the volume on differences, old insecurities, hurt feelings on one side and apathy on another, disrespect, jealousy, lovelessness, lovemaking that's grown predictable, stale, or dissatisfying, old seductions, pornography, temptation, secrets, accusation, frustration, and addiction. He whispers of imperfections, whatever fosters disgust or disdain, and that good ol' greener grass with the hourglass figure and a husband that travels.
Satan makes me so mad!
We cannot always trust people, but we can always trust & place our hope in Him!
An old friend whose high school sweetheart and best friend decided to ditch their spouses and play house together has been paralyzed in grief and stuck in a cycle of hopelessness for over a year. She is a shell of herself and seems unable to rally and regain her balance after that world-rocking blow.
Another friend recently discovered that his business partner committed illegal acts on behalf of their company he is president of and responsible for. So, instead of fighting a long and expensive battle in court, he's cut a plea bargain and will go to prison. It's a level of devastation he cannot yet comprehend.
Anyone who has had their life utterly capsized knows how sometimes you forget for a few moments about the thing that has crushed your heart, like while folding laundry or cooking dinner, and then WHAM! Like a 2x4 to the forehead, something reminds you of the scorching loss, the surreal new normal and the temptation floods in to sink into sadness, dwell on the hurt, let it whomp you body and soul, and stay there... flattened. Oh, sweet honey, do I know that one.
Maybe you do, too.
So many people I know are battling the same way. So many who have lost jobs, or who are in a seemingly never-ending financial crisis, or whose kids or spouse have spun out of control in anger, rebellion, and selfishness, or whose life radically changed against their best efforts to keep on course. They're all warring against those same thoughts. And it is a war!
It makes me angry at the devil that he's so darn good at his job! He learns what message will cripple you the most and whispers some version of:
"It's over."
"You'll never get out of this hole."
"You're irredeemable now."
"It's all your fault."
"Look at this wreckage! It can never be ok again."
"You've blown it too much."
"You're an embarrassment."
"You're not worth the sacrifice of real love."
"You're too this, or too that."
"You'll never be happy again."
"God can't do anything with or through you."
"What a loser!"
"You. Are. Worthless."
It's pure evil. He's out to steal our hope!
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. — John 10:10a
When you are walking in love, what does the enemy want to do?.. Steal it, kill it, destroy it. And you. So he sows seeds of jealousy, or disappointment, or anger, or selfish ambition, and incites one against another over and over.
When you are tithing and going on mission trips and giving a good chunk of money towards the building fund, or to a shelter for battered women, or to an orphanage, what is Satan's scheme?.. Steal it, kill it, destroy it. And you. So he reminds you of the pressure to provide, and all the things you need, and everything in the house starts to break down or need emergency replacing. Or he plants frustration. Or selfishness.
When you are fully trusting God wholeheartedly and feeling that beautiful, supernatural peace oozing through your life and home, what is the enemy dead-set to do?.. Steal it, kill it, destroy it. And you. So he reminds you of your fears, your losses, your upsets, those who have hurt you, the unrepentant betrayers, the ones who damaged you deeply. Or he lobs in a little chaos and adds a whisper of annoyance and nurses it until it grows into anger and bitterness. Or he suggests that maybe God is holding out on you after all.
When worship and thanksgiving are growing within you no matter what your circumstances are, whether happy or sad, blessed or in trial, wealthy or wanting, healthy or ill, what does the enemy set out to do with a fiery vengeance?.. Steal it, kill it, destroy it! And you! So the Serpent hisses lies about emptiness, lack, unanswered prayers, promises you've waited and waited and waited for for what seems like a lifetime, sudden and complete financial collapse, shocking betrayal from loved ones, or the death of someone far too young.
When your marriage is thriving, and both husband and wife are working side-by-side to love better and more sacrificially every day, and even to encourage couples struggling in difficult marriages, that just outrages the Devil. So what is his plan?..
Steal it, kill it, destroy it!
And both of YOU!
And he's GOOD at it!
The Liar turns up the volume on differences, old insecurities, hurt feelings on one side and apathy on another, disrespect, jealousy, lovelessness, lovemaking that's grown predictable, stale, or dissatisfying, old seductions, pornography, temptation, secrets, accusation, frustration, and addiction. He whispers of imperfections, whatever fosters disgust or disdain, and that good ol' greener grass with the hourglass figure and a husband that travels.
Satan makes me so mad!
The battle of hopelessness rages because that's where the enemy wants you and me to stay and live forever. Crushed. Shamed. Destroyed. Incapable of being used for good. Angry. Afraid. Filled with condemnation. Lonely. Desperate. Self-consumed. Whirling emotionally in grief. Sitting in ashes.
But, hopelessness is not true! God is with us. And He is the God of HOPE!
But, hopelessness is not true! God is with us. And He is the God of HOPE!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
We cannot always trust people, but we can always trust & place our hope in Him!
God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? — Numbers 23.19
You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the HOPE of all the ends of the earth and of the furthest seas. — Psalm 65.5
And HOPE does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. — Romans 5.5
You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the HOPE of all the ends of the earth and of the furthest seas. — Psalm 65.5
And HOPE does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. — Romans 5.5
"The devil cannot lord it over those who are servants of God with their whole heart and who place their HOPE in Him. The devil can wrestle with but not overcome them." ~ Shepherd of Hermas
Going back to that verse...
That's why Satan is after our hope! Without hope, we cannot begin to enjoy life, be in love with Jesus, receive His immeasurable love for us, and translate that into powerfully, selflessly loving others, forgiving the unforgivable, or embodying Jesus in any way.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance, to the full, until it overflows. — John 10.10
He came to bring a deeply satisfying, marvelous and rich life, abounding and dripping in joy like a waterfall that cannot be contained!
That's why Satan is after our hope! Without hope, we cannot begin to enjoy life, be in love with Jesus, receive His immeasurable love for us, and translate that into powerfully, selflessly loving others, forgiving the unforgivable, or embodying Jesus in any way.
... through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, HOPE. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. — Romans 5:2-5
So, what do you do when your life shipwrecks and your hope dwindles to a flicker or dies altogether? What do you do when your heartbreak shakes your very foundation leaving you questioning everything you've ever believed in? What do you do when the ultimate question really is
"God, where are You?! Do You see me? Don't You care?!"
Honestly, that is an incredibly important and holy moment. It's the moment God gets the real, raw you. Face to face.
Although it may not feel like it for a long, long time, losing hope, and especially losing your religion is a very strange, rip-you-in-half painful, shocking, but very valuable gift.
What you are going through, my friend, what so many of us are going through, may be so horrible that you beg God, "I have no hope! I cannot endure this one more day. Please, take me now!"I've been there. And it truly is hell. Losing everything, being shredded to bits, having your worst nightmare come true in living color and be even worse than you imagined, and not knowing where God is in the midst of it or how He could possibly be a good God since He allowed such pain, is absolutely hell on earth.
Here's what I'm saying... Hang on, babe. Press on. Lean into it. Seek God with all of your heart. You will find Him. And He will teach you a whole new love. A whole new grace. A whole new forgiveness. A whole new HOPE! If you cling to God you will meet Him in a completely new, deeper, richer way than if you'd never shipwrecked.
Your spirit begins to learn what trust truly is. Your mind begins to learn never, ever to listen to your thoughts, but to rely on Scripture instead. You begin to learn to think entirely differently. Your heart stretches out in compassion. You actually start to seek out God to wreck whatever He needs to.
"Seriously, God, while You're at it, please do it all the way."
Your life may be destroyed right now... but God is doing good, invaluable things! He's making you new.
After a while, letting God wreck your life and your heart and reveal the yuck within and cut it out gets to be kind of strangely exciting. When you digest the truth that there's no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1) and there's more joy and hope in store for you on the other side of learning what is sin in His sight that you never recognized before and changing it, you get a second wind.
For me, at least, it's been a daily walk of choices:
Forgiveness or bitterness For me, at least, it's been a daily walk of choices:
Kindness or sarcasm
Peace or anger
Honesty or lies
Trust in God or fear
Compassion or harshness
Love or vengeance
Care or apathy
Enjoyment or cynicism
Caretaking or scorn
Caretaking or scorn
Blessing or hatred
HOPE or despondence
It's a choice between tumbling willfully into a self-imposed dungeon that's dark, scary, sharp, hard, lonely, and barren or having God's great and beautiful expanse begin to open up acreage in your heart.
You and I have been invited to focus on the awful, or focus on beauty. All the beautiful moments of each day, big and small. Drink them in and thank God will a full, singing heart. On purpose. If we want to, we can hold all of the upheaval and trauma close to the chest and be wrecked and angry for years, or with counsel, make the wisest direction decisions we can and then leave the outcome to God. In peace. Because we can trust Him. Because we are completely safe in Him. Because our HOPE is in Him and Him alone.
My personal mess isn't over. Not by a long shot. So, I say this from the middle of the long and painful storm. From the eye of the tornado. Still buffeted, still wobbly, still very much in the thick of it.
What am I going to do with all this suffering?
I choose to let God use it to change me for the better. Let God squish and mold it into compassion, forgiveness, mercy and grace. Let God create through it eyes to see the hurting and love them as Jesus would. Right where I am. In the middle of really hard stuff. My soul can relax. Because there IS hope!
Jesus.
I choose to let God use it to change me for the better. Let God squish and mold it into compassion, forgiveness, mercy and grace. Let God create through it eyes to see the hurting and love them as Jesus would. Right where I am. In the middle of really hard stuff. My soul can relax. Because there IS hope!
Jesus.
But blessed is the (wo)man who trusts in the LORD whose confidence is in Him. (S)he will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. — Jeremiah 17:7-8
Though he slay me, yet will I hope in Him. — Job 13.15a
"I've read the last page of the Bible. It's all going to turn out all right." ~ Billy Graham
"You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance." — Psalm 65.11
Hold fast!
