Called to be—People of HOPE

During this unpredictable, uncertain time—a time of what researchers refer to as “indefinite uncertainty” and “ambiguous loss”, you might feel like the Apostle Paul when he said: “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.” (2 Corinthians 1:8), or like Jesus who—on the cross—felt forsaken by His Father (Matthew 27:46). Most, if not all, of us are experiencing normal stages of grief and loss: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance, and searching for/finding meaning. In addition, you might also have hit  compassion fatigue—a sense of overwhelm with the needs of the world, your community, your loved ones, and yourself.

 Be encouraged. Scripture is full of examples of those who have been both faithful to the Lord and also have experienced sadness, depression, even despair. They felt deeply. This didn’t in any way take away from their relationship with God. In those moments, they found God compassionate, gentle, loving, strength-providing, and burden-carrying.

 What does Jesus say to us in our pain and fatigue?  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

 And, Paul’s example shows him going from despair to hope—because of his focus on and reliance on God—and on God’s mercy and faithfulness:

2 Corinthians 1:3-11 …8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers…

Later in the same letter, Paul goes on to say:

2 Corinthians 4:1-9  1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart…8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Biblical hope is one that does not disappoint (Romans 5:5)—that’s deeply rooted in the truth that God is faithful. Because God is our Savior—our hope is in Him all day long Psalm 25:5  we can take heart Psalm 31:24 we wait in hope for the Lord who is our help, our shield Psalm 33:20 we put our hope in the Lord and His unfailing love Psalm 33:22 God provides rest and hope Psalm 62:5 God is our hope and confidence Psalm 71:5 hope and worship are intimately connected Psalm 71:14 we put our hope in God’s Word and words to us Psalm 119:147 waiting and hope are intertwined Psalm 130:5 we can put our hope in the Lord now and for all eternity Psalm 131:3 the Lord delights when we put our hope in Him Psalm 147:11 we find renewal of our strength and help in our weariness when we hope in the Lord Isaiah 40:31 when we recall the Lord’s great love and unfailing compassion for us, we have hope. We hope in His goodness, His faithfulness, His sufficiency Lamentations 3:19 we watch in hope for the Lord, our Savior who hears us Micah 7:7 we put our hope in the name of Jesus Matthew 12:15 we wait patiently in hope for what is unseen as the Spirit intercedes for us in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:22 Hope gives us boldness 2 Corinthians 3:12 the Lord, by His grace, gives us eternal encouragement and good hope 2 Thessalonians 2:16 hope—in Jesus-- is an anchor for our souls Hebrews 6:16 we hold on to hope--the Lord is faithful to His promises Hebrews 10:23 faith and hope are related. Hebrews 11:1 because of God’s mercy, we are reborn into a living hope through Jesus resurrection 1 Peter 1:3

 Take heart. We put our hope in Jesus; He is our hope and He provides us with hope.

 Take a moment today to pray this Scriptural prayer for yourself and your community:

Lord, we are so grateful that you are compassionate and gracious, abounding in love and faithfulness. Exodus 34:5 you are patient, merciful and forgiving Nehemiah 9:17-30 you are the One who restores our joy and sustains us Psalm 51  you redeem our life from the pit, and crown us with Your love and compassion, You satisfy our desires with good things, You renew our strength. Psalm 103 You long to be gracious to us… Isaiah 30:18 thank you that you are the God of all comfort—and we receive that comfort today—a comfort that abounds through Jesus 2 Corinthians 1:3 Lord of hope, we ask that you fill us with Your joy and Your peace so that we overflow with hope by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 AMEN.

Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been EquipConnectServe Director at her 1,200 member church since 1999.  Contact Shirley.

Photo © Shirley Giles Davis, All Rights Reserved.