Got Hope?
30 May 2010 7 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: christian encouragement, chronic illness, chronic pain, daily devotionals, deni weber, devotional writers, hopekeepers, illness ministry, inspirational stories, invisible illness, meditation, rest ministries
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” (Psalm 31:24)
Sometimes I like to look up specific words in the Bible on BibleGateWay.com. Today I was looking up the word “hope.” Other health issues have arisen for me and I need encouragement. I need hope.
This verse caught my eye. “What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient?” (Job 6:11). I thought to myself, “Exactly! That is exactly how I feel right now. My strength feels so low – my prospects so dim. How can I wait patiently and hope?”
The truth is, on my own, I can’t.
I’m sure you have probably heard the saying, “When you get to the end of you rope, tie a knot and hold on.” I have read that and wondered, “What if you don’t have the strength to hold on anymore?”
Once again I realize that my hope isn’t the knot at the end of a rope. My hope is not in my own strength to hold on or in the prospects for the rest of my life. My hope is in God. For some people, that seems amorphous. Why hope in an intangible being? My response?
Why not?
When I look back over my life, I realize there have been times I was sure I would not make it through. Yet I did. I also know that I have never made it through on my own strength. On my own, I would have given up long ago.
Yes, we will have moments of weakness and doubt. And in those moments we have a choice. We have a choice to try to make it through on our own – or to trust God. I know full well that it is a hard choice.
A recent commercial used to say “Got milk?” When I land in the place I am in today, I need to remind myself, “Got God!”
Prayer: Father, Thank you that you understand our moments of weakness and disheartenment. Thank you that you have provided for those moments with the glorious hope that is You. Amen.
About the Author:
deni believes that the only true way to deal with chronic pain and chronic illness is to bring them to the feet of her Lord and Savior. Her multiple illnesses (Celiac Sprue, Atrial Fibrillation, Ankylosing Spondylitis, to name a few) have taught her many things about herself and her Christian walk. It is her fondest desire that her lessons may be helpful to others as they walk the path of chronic illness.
deni can be reached at encouragingwords@me.com . Her website is http://www.pathwaysforchange.com/Encouragement
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May 30, 2010 @ 10:46:57
Deni,
Thanks for that good reminder. I sure did not do that the other day when trials seemed to be pouring in my life.
I need to remember the hope I have in the Lord. The hope to see light at the end of the tunnel.
Blessings,
Carol
May 30, 2010 @ 15:26:25
Deni,
Thanks for sharing these words with us. I really like that “Got hope? Got God!” I’m going to hang on to that idea.
Praying that God will bless and encourage you in some special way today.
Fiona
May 30, 2010 @ 15:47:20
Hi deni!
I’m so sorry to hear of new health issues that you are now facing. Thanks for this “hope-filled” devotional.
I remember a time when I was so depressed I was afraid to be alone for fear of what I might do. My dearest friend at that time, a Christian sister, who had often told me, partly kidding, to “tie a
knot and hang on” was with me. This time she said, “You don’t need to try to hang on. We’ll do that for you.” And through prayer, a listening ear and love she, my hubby and others did that.
I got through that horrible time and the Lord has seen me through many other difficult periods since then.
Another thing this piece reminds me of is a message my pastor husband once preached called, “For This We Have Jesus.” I still have one of the paper bookmarks he printed at that time with these words on it. Hope in God can make all the difference!
Keep looking up deni!
Love, Beth
May 31, 2010 @ 12:31:05
Hi deni – your devotional really hits home with me, too.
New, unknown symptoms can bring all kinds of feelings and thoughts.
Looking back ( in a good way ) to remember that God has always brought me through helps me to keep knowing He will never change.
Yes – hope – His consistent faithfulness when we have not a clue other than knowing we have Him.
Thanks for a great devotional!
Love,
Lynn
May 31, 2010 @ 13:15:48
Deni
Once again a great devotional and one that gives me cause to stop and think.
When the rough times hit, it isn’t easy for me to just let go and ‘let God’ but I do try to do it – although sometimes I take it back too quickly or too many times.
Got God? I like that and I will try to remember it in my times of struggles.
Thanks for your words from your heart.
Praying for you.
Gentle hugs,
Heather
Jun 01, 2010 @ 11:05:42
Thank you for the lovely devotional. Hope seems to elusive sometimes – but critical – especially when faced with circumstances that threaten to drain it dry on a regular basis.
I so needed this!
Love and blessings!
Jun 03, 2010 @ 11:57:27
Thank you all for your comments. So many of us face this problem. I appreciate what you said, Faye, that hope is elusive, but critical for those of us who walk this path. As always, I’m glad God used these words to help you in some way.
Be Blessed
deni