I thought I would write today about having hope. Especially, with what is happening in the world right now. There is so much hurt, pain, fear, anxiety and hatred happening.
So, I thought I would try to encourage you and give you a little bit of wisdom.
Firstly, I want you to know that whatever this season has consisted of, you are loved, your life has meaning and there are better things coming!
How do I know? Because God told me so.
As I was praying yesterday, God told me that this too shall pass. This season is will end and we, as His beautiful children will flourish after. I truly believe that God speaks to us to help others, just as much as he speaks to us for our own benefit. This blog is exactly what He wants you to read. Whatever this season has consisted of, He loves you and has a wonderful future prepared for you.
There have been a couple of things that I personally have been sad about in this season. Things that haven't gone to plan. Many of you know I was meant to move from England to Sydney a week on Monday. I was meant to be studying at Hillsong College. Tears have been shed, but I have been filled with patience and understanding. God has shown me that my plans are not always the best plans for me, because His are the absolute best. If that means waiting another 6 months, that is exactly what I'm going to do.
For you, my friend. Whatever has not happened, whether that be a wedding, a party, a holiday, a move out date, a job, God has planned something even more enriching and exciting. I believe that it will happen, however it was always God's plan for it to work out this way. He knew this would occur even before we did! Even before we were born!
Most importantly, in every season we should bring our worries to God in prayer.
'Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.'
1 Peter 5:7
I have sometimes thought and done things without being prayerful or without considering God first and I would never want to go back to that way of living. Everything I do and feel must be brought before God, even things we might only be considering.
It is so true that God cares about us. You might feel like you are at the end of caring because so much pain, hurt and devastation has happened in your life. I want you to know Our God can restore what is broken, He is a miracle working God and can heal your broken heart!
We are never in a tough season forever. Yes to us it might seem a while, but to God His hand is leading us and helping us in our time of need. It says that in the bible.
’God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’
Psalm 46:1
It does not say He will help sometimes, it says A VERY PRESENT HELP. That means that God is with you right now, there is nothing He can’t do. He is the God of the impossible. I want to remind you of this blessing and promise. That in Jesus we are strong, He gives us the strength we need for each season and will direct us to greener pastures.
My friend, we need more hope. Hope is a feeling of trust and expectation that something better is on its way. I want to tell you that you can trust God because He knows the desires of our hearts and knows exactly what we need when. Therefore, trusting God is what we must do.
When we put our hope and trust in God, everything else that worries us is replaced with His all-surpassing peace. God’s plan is much better than our own.
We won't always understand why he takes us through hardship and difficult situations, but in the future we will look back and be thankful. We will notice how much we have grown into who He wanted us to be. Into the likeness of Jesus.
'And I am sure of this that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.'
Philippians 1:6
I want you to know that it is okay to come to God feeling sad, angry, afraid, frustrated or however you are feeling, because He accepts us just as we are. Therefore, let’s walk into hope because victory is on its way.
‘Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.’
Psalm 42:11
Praising God in the hard times shifts our perspective of the given season. When we lift our hands in praise and give our situation over to God, things begin to shift. Relating to myself when hard times have come and I didn't know what to do. The only thing that felt right was to get down on my knees and ask Jesus for help. And he did exactly that. He moved into my situation and directed me through the storm. He didn't allow my foot to slip.
One of the most powerful things we can do in a season full of uncertainty and fear is to fall on our knees and allow ourselves to become overwhelmed by the presence of Jesus. For where Jesus is, there is freedom. There is love. There is excitement. There is restoration. There is joy. There is peace. There is overwhelming grace. There is NEW LIFE!
‘’We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts.’
Romans 5:3-5
I don't know about you, but I certainly do not feel like rejoicing when something hard is happening in my life. But, just like this verse says. We must rejoice in our sufferings because it produces things within us that enable us to become who God has called us to be!
Having hope is something that is needed when hard times come our way. Not just because we grow in our skills or abilities but we grow closer to Jesus. I do love this verse, just how it says that hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured into our hearts.
God’s love is all we need to help us in this season and in all the seasons to come. Right now. There is no time to waste. Having hope in Jesus for greater things is simply the most beautiful remedy for any suffering and uncertainty.
God knows exactly where this season will take us. We do not have to be afraid.
He is in control.
So, let’s put our full hope and trust in Him.
Our father
The everlasting God.
Jesus.
The King of Kings.
Our prince of peace.
God bless you beautiful,
Lois (Founder of The Art Of Everyday blog.)
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