My friend Richard Henderson wrote this post this morning and I really felt that there are some people out there that need to hear this so I’m re-posting it.
HOPE
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 22:11
A friend pointed out to me that, for many if not most, grief can be deadly. Her exact words…“Grief is a dangerous cliff for many people…it triggers a biological response leading to depression…and then they are stuck. (some) People romanticize the ‘Romeo and Juliet’ emotion of grief.”
I have spent days pondering her words.
Why is grief healthy, even healing for some and deadly for others?
My conclusion is one of perspective.
If someone believes that this world is all that there is. The end. If this life is the whole story, loss of any kind, a person or a job or a pet or even a favorite watch and the accompanying grief, can be devastating and can even lead to death.
However, if this life is a chapter in the story that was begun before the creation of the world and continues long after this life is past, loss and grief, while heartbreaking, can be filled with wonder and be healing and life giving.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11
The writer gives us the secret weapon for dealing with our emotions in hard and trying times.
Actively put your hope in God.
This doesn’t just happen. It takes looking into the depths of our soul, asking probing questions and then giving marching orders to our emotions…
“PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD!”
JUST DO IT.
And then PRAISE HIM.
This is not “self talk”. This is applying the power of The Word to our everyday circumstance.
HOPE is a strategy of heaven.
Without hope there WILL come a day that will overwhelm even the strongest of us.
Hope is the tunnel where we find the light of heaven shining at the end.
Hope is the “sure thing” of heaven based on the “sure thing” of God.
Are you hope filled that this life is not the whole story?
Do you know that Daddy is for you?
Do you believe that He loves you and has good things in your future?
If you are struggling with finding hope today, I feel for you and with you.
I am praying this for you right now…
“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.” Romans 15:11
These aren’t just “preacher” words. They are FOR you.
Stop right now and ask Father for help.
Ask Him to fill you with hope.
And receive hope and joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may OVERFLOW with hope by the power of The Holy Spirit.
You have been prayed for today.
Matthew 6.6 