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Hope Springs Eternal

Hello, friends, and happy Tuesday! I wanted to write on a topic that I personally needed encouragement from. I want to specifically talk about disappointments in life, but I want to shift the perspective on how we view these valleys.

I want to open with John 9:1-5, the story of the healing of the blind man, except I want to read before Jesus actually heals the man. There is such beauty in Christ’s teaching in these verses. “As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

In verse two, Jesus’ disciples immediately seek to understand the cause as to why the man is blind. Jesus redirects the focus. See, the disciples were so focused on the cause, whereas Jesus is only concerned with the purpose. Jesus does not emphasize the reason as to why the man in blind, but He expresses how the man’s condition is an opportunity to display the works of God through Him.

This pivotal moment highlights Jesus’ forward-looking perspective, where He sees beyond the man’s past and present limitations, focusing instead on the potential for God’s glory to be revealed through his life. Jesus’ response serves as a powerful reminder that our past does not define our future; rather, our lives are canvases for the divine to illustrate His grace, mercy, and power.

Jesus teaches us to view our circumstances through a lens of hope and purpose, encouraging us to anticipate the beautiful possibilities that God has in store, rather than being anchored by our past. This perspective is not only transformative for the individual but also serves as a testament to others of what God can do through our lives when we look forward with faith.

It’s tempting to dwell on past memories of brighter days, but Jesus encourages us to look ahead and ask ourselves, ‘What is the purpose in my pain?’ Too often, we let our disappointments, discouragement, and disillusionments in life obscure our spiritual vision. Consider this setback not as an end, but as a key to success. If heartbreak is what you’re healing from, let it be the very reason you offer your broken pieces to the only One who can mend them and make everything new.

One of my favorite quotes comes from the inspiring Christine Caine, who once said, ‘Sometimes when you’re in a dark place, you think you’ve been buried, but you’ve actually been planted.’ This perspective offers a profound lens through which to view the trials we face, reminding us that what feels like the end might actually be the beginning of something new.

With this thought in mind, I’d like to explore the story of Job. Despite the depth of his suffering, heartbreak, disappointment, and anger, Job’s faith never wavered. He understood, even in his darkest moments, that God’s power remains unmatched. For Job, it wasn’t a burial in his trials; it was a planting, a preparation for growth, demonstrating an unwavering trust in the divine plan.

What would our season of healing look like if this was our foundation?

I want to jump into Hebrews 6:19 that says, “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.” This is the reason why I named this post “Hope Springs Eternal”. This verse beautifully encapsulates the essence of unwavering hope that is central to our faith.

No matter the circumstances, there’s always an underlying expectation for better days ahead. This verse speaks to the resilience of the human spirit and the belief that positive outcomes are possible, regardless of current hardships. Trusting in God is also trusting in the fascinating fact that He knows how to get the best out of any situation.

Our hope for our future does not rely on optimism but is grounded in the reality of God’s unchanging character and His steadfast promises. This hope springs anew each day, not because life happens the exact way we predict it, but because we are rooted in the love and power of an unchanging God.

I want to share some personal testimonials from my own season of healing. First off, just because you’re hurting and grieving, does not mean you’re not healing. Healing is not linear, and our emotions are not permanent. It takes us going to the Lord with our brokenness repeatedly for true healing to occur. It takes acknowledgment of brokenness to move towards wholeness.

Secondly, do not remain calcified in a place that was meant to be temporary. Choose to elevate Jesus above the events that have unfolded in your life. Despite the betrayal you weren’t expecting, the friendship that suddenly ended, opportunities that never materialized, or the relationship that didn’t last, do not remain stuck in your disappointment. Humans are imperfect and will sometimes fail us, but God is perfect and failing us is something He simply cannot do.

Lastly, it’s essential to remember that the Holy Spirit is our Comforter and Friend. God does not take pleasure in seeing His children suffer. He yearns to comfort us, knowing that He alone can provide the true healing our souls crave. This divine comfort is not merely a temporary relief but a deep, transformative process that touches the very core of our being. In moments of despair, when the weight of the world seems unbearable, the Holy Spirit whispers peace into our hearts, reminding us of God’s eternal presence and His promise to never leave us nor forsake us. It’s in this divine embrace that we find the strength to rise above our circumstances, healed and renewed by the only One whose love for us knows no bounds.

When I entered into my season of healing, I heard the Lord speak to me and tell me, “You are not buried…anymore. This is the first step of you climbing out of what bound you up.” It was an assurance that what felt like an end was, in fact, the start of a remarkable journey out of the shadows and into the light.

My church said it like this on Sunday, “God doesn’t save us to leave us; He saves us to walk with us.” Our journey through the valleys of disappointments and pain is not a journey we walk alone. It is a path laid out with divine purpose, a testament to the strength, hope, and healing that comes from placing our trust in God. As we reflect on the teachings of Jesus, the steadfast faith of Job, and the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit, we are reminded that our current struggles are not our final destination. They are, instead, the very places where God’s glory can shine brightest through us.

In embracing this perspective, we open ourselves to the endless possibilities that God has in store for us. We learn to view each setback not as a defeat, but as a step towards something greater. With every challenge, we are given the opportunity to grow, to strengthen our faith, and to witness the transformative power of God’s love in our lives.

Let us hold onto this unshakeable hope, knowing that hope springs eternal, not because of our circumstances, but because of the One who is at work within us. Let us carry this hope as our anchor, allowing it to guide us through the darkest nights and into the dawn of a new day filled with God’s grace and mercy.