Inside: what to do when it hurts to hope
If you’ve been browsing around the blog for a while, you’ll know that I liked to read YouVerison’s devotionals when I dry my hair. YouVersion has a devotional for just about every topic you can think of. Want to start a “read the Bible in a year” (or half a year)? Well, YouVersion has you covered on that, too. They’re basically a one stop shop.
Now that I have a fancy-dancy Dyson hair dryer, my drying time is cut in half. But, I still have plenty of time to start my day with a devotion and God’s word while getting my hair dry.
Lately, I have been reading Harmony Grillo’s devotion, Dreams Redeemed. I’ll be honest, when I pick a devotion to read on YouVersion, I usually read the first day’s devotion before starting the plan. You know, just to see if I like it.
But, not with this one.
When Hope is Just Out of Reach
“What do we do when our dreams seem out of reach or even shattered?”
That was the question in the info section that made me just jump right in.
What do we do when our dreams have just slipped by us or seemed to have crashed and burned with no point of return?
A good answer would be: we hope things get better and we put our faith in the Lord to get us through.
But, if I’m being honest, and honesty is the best policy, that isn’t always my answer nor is it my actions.
Sometimes, I just give up and wallow in my frustrations.
I can’t be the only one who does that, right?
Harmony’s Dreams Redeemed
Throughout the devotion, Harmony talks about things that happened in her life that knocked the hope right out of her and how she puts her hope in Jesus instead.
Now, I cannot say that I have experienced the same experiences as Harmony. I haven’t. Not even close.
But, I can say that things have happened (in the past, and, quite honestly, recently) that have just left me feeling hopeless, helpless, and downright disappointed.
Things that I never expected I would be facing at 28 years old.
Things I never saw coming.
And major changes or delays to the plans I had for my life.
I am sure you can relate.
Maybe the plans you made for your life are currently unraveling.
Perhaps there is something you have been hoping for and waiting on and you just do not see how it is even remotely possible.
Maybe you’re facing a very difficult situation in your life that isn’t budging.
Or, maybe you’re just feeling a little down for whatever reason.
What to do when it Hurts to Hope
When not-so-great things happen over and over again, it is hard to hope for brighter days.
Kind of like how Proverbs says, “hope deferred maketh the heart sick…”
You kind of just get to the point where you think, “What’s the point? I only end up disappointed when I start to feel hopeful.”
And, that, my friends, is the absolute wrong way to think about it. (Talking to myself here.)
It’s very easy to get to that point, but it’s not always the right mindset. I admit, it’s a rut I’ve been in for a bit.
“…but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”
You see, we have to put our hope and faith in Jesus.
If we want to live life and live it well, we truly have no other option but to trust the Lord.
Just like the children’s song says, “He’s got the whole world in His hands.” And, dear reader, that means even you.
He sees you exactly where you are and He knows the way for you. You can safely trust that He has a plan and everything to be just fine.
Brighter days are coming. Keep the faith and stay hopeful.
Shine bright!
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Thoughts?