Holding on to Hope
Hebrews 10: 23 (NIV): Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful
Jeremiah 29: 11 (NIV): 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
Hope:
The feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best
I have seen firsthand what living without hope looks like and it is heartbreaking. It’s an abyss of darkness that is hard to pull a person out of. While I’ve been in dark spaces, seeing another perspective made me realize that I had one thing that kept me closer to the light, and that was hope.
The year 2022 was the most challenging year of my life. It felt as though everything was crashing down on me. Between work, my love life, and my health, I was holding on by a thread. However, despite everything happening to me at once, I was still able to smile, laugh and love because of hope.
Hope that my circumstance was only for a season.
Hope that God has something better ahead.
Hope reminded me that my pain was only a chapter in my story. Jeremiah 29:11 states that the Lord plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I stand on that scripture as a reminder that if I can keep pushing, I can get to that chapter of fulfilled promises.
Going through the storms of life made me realize who I am in God and to God.
When I tell you God is a HEALER, trust me I know.
When I tell you God is a KEEPER, trust me I know.
When I tell you God is a PROVIDER, trust me I know.
Truth is: There will be times in your life when God not only wants you to KNOW what he can do but to EXPERIENCE it. What do I mean by that? To know something is to be aware through observation. To experience something is to physically encounter a situation.
Because of my first-hand encounter, my testimony is authentic and fireproof.
God loves his children so much, but sometimes we are so caught up in the cares of life to see it. I knew God was with me when I was constantly encountering people. Strangers were encouraging me and speaking life to me in a hard season. To top it off, they all had the SAME message. Angels are on this Earth. God uses people to speak to us if only we listen. It made me realize my life is bigger than me and that I will have to return the favor to someone else.
Holding on to hope is what saved my life. I am confident it will do the same for you.