Do Not Lose Hope

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly

we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being

renewed day by day. For our light and momentary

troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory

that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes

not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For

what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen

is eternal.                      2 Corinthians 4:16-18 

     Yesterday I received some bad news, very bad—extremely bad. Actually, I had been expecting this news but hoping that it would not come. Throughout the day my mind wavered from hope to despair and to hope again. Sleep did not come until the early morning hours as my mind flashed back over years of memories. This morning I awakened with eyes that did not want to open and feet that did not want to hit the floor.

     As I dipped grounds and poured water, the voice of my Heavenly Father spoke to my aching heart, “Do not lose hope!” My response—HELP! My mind and fingers raced to 2 Corinthians 4 where my Father reminded me that we are hard pressed on every side, perplexed, persecuted and struck down. The good news is that we are not crushed, in despair, abandoned or destroyed. The words I believed, we know and all this is for your benefit jumped off the page of my Bible and into my heart.

     These words reminded me of my fifty-five year journey with Jesus. He has never disappointed, forsaken, abandoned or deserted me. While my love for Him has grown deeper and sweeter over the decades, His love for me needed no change. I received it all the moment I surrendered my life to Him.

     Therefore, I will not lose hope. I refuse to be a coward and surrender to hopelessness. I will remember that while our physical bodies continue to age and decay, our inner soul continues to be renewed as we grow and mature into Christlikeness. Although this news from a loved one seems neither light nor momentary, I will confidently look forward to the goodness of God fixing my eyes on that which is unseen and eternal.

     To my human eyes things look dark and hopeless. But God is able… I have a place to look—up. I have a place to run—my Heavenly Father. I have a place to hide—in the arms of Jesus. I will not lose hope. Besides, God may just have a miracle in store. It wouldn’t be the first time.  

©JP 2013