Finding Hope In Christ

"We shall not abide in darkness, although for the moment we sit in it, for our Lord is the fountain of light, and He will soon bring us a joyful day."  - Charles H. Spurgeon, English Particular Baptist preacher (1834-1892)

I'll be the first to admit that it's not any fun when things seem to go wrong in life. And though we may have different experiences, we often share a sense of hopelessness when this occurs.

Even so, it's what we "do" during this period of abiding (dwelling) in darkness (hopelessness) that matters. Some choose to do nothing and leave themselves at the mercy of whatever comes. For many reasons, that's not the best option! (Proverbs 23:18)

During rough times, I've always found comfort in knowing that I can refer to Scripture for examples of others who also went through difficult periods, yet managed to emerge from them stronger than before. Here are a few:

• Hannah (1 Samuel 1:1-20): Her barren womb and the constant torment by Sarah cause her to experience profound anguish and a desperate plea for a child. Despite this, she never fails to seek and worship God. 

• Job (Job 1-42): A righteous man who suffers the loss of family, wealth, and health, raising doubts in his mind about God's justice and his own life. The narrative analyzes adversity and hardship and the essence of God's plan. 

• David (Psalm 6, 13): The Book of Psalms often convey David's intense emotions, including feelings of abandonment, pain, and despair. This provides room for recognizing challenging emotions within the framework of faith.

Stories like these help illustrate the human condition of vulnerability and grappling with hardship and difficult emotions, thus ultimately underscoring God's presence even amid suffering. 

American speaker and Christian author Lysa TerKeurst, said this about hopelessness:

"Take courage. The clouds that cover you this year may be darker than any you have yet known. They may linger long. They may seem to blot out the sun. But God knows how to take even these clouds, and through them work wonders so marvelous, so unlooked for, that they leave us on our knees in worship."

Perhaps the key to this lies within the word "abide." In the Bible, "abide" usually implies to "stay," "remain," or "dwell."  In particular, it pertains to staying connected to Christ by faith and obedience, trusting in His word, and relying on Him for life and strength (Philippians 4:13).

When we "abide in Christ" we continually trust in His Word, obey His commandments, and depend on Him for everything. In this position of faith and reliance we allow His life and power to merge with us, empowering us to develop and prosper (Romans 9:16).

In closing, God offers hope for the future, reminding us that even though trials may be temporary, God's love and faithfulness are eternal. And, He will help us face life's challenges and find strength in our faith. 

Scripture: Psalm 62:5; Isaiah 45:22; John 14:27; Romans 15:13; 1 Peter 5:7

Prayer: "Dear Lord, I need your comfort and peace during troubling times. Help me to remember your love and presence and give me courage to persevere and to trust that you are with me every step of the way, Amen."

Yours in Christ,

Emily