Rays of Hope

We've talked about hope many times on our journey together.

It's a lovely word that assures optimistic expectations and keeps us moving forward in times of struggle or uncertainty.

I know many of us have been in some long, chronic battles. All we want is for it just to be done already.

I know powerful, faithful warriors who have more than enough hope, yet their battles wage on.

As time wears on, hope fades.

We hoped and prayed for answers, but they didn't come.

We hoped and prayed for a cure, but it didn't happen.

We hoped and prayed for it to be all over, only for it to keep persisting.

We hoped and prayed for peace and unity, but the war wages on.

We hoped and prayed for our desired outcome, but it didn't turn out how we wanted.

So, we lose hope.

It's understandable.  

Pain, loss, and disappointment wear us down; sometimes, hope is too hard to hold onto.

This truth makes us uncomfortable.

Feeling hopeless is a place no one wants to sink into, so we avoid it or pretend it's not happening.

Perhaps we need to readjust what hope is about.

Maybe hope isn't about the ending, it's about the during.

What if we thought of hope as God's rays of strength and endurance as we continue our journey?

Rays of hope come from angels who appear to help us through our struggles. They surprise us with their unexpected, unwavering love, care, and support and hold us up when we can't stand alone.

Rays of hope come through God's unconditional love and grace, always available for us, even when we scream, shake our fists, or turn our backs on Him.

Rays of hope come when we stop looking at the finish line and look up and around for the signs and wonders that come from accepting what is and seeing its beauty, even in the worst times.

Rays of hope come from knowing that this, too, shall pass. Maybe not as quickly as we want or in the way we want it to, but it will pass.  

Rays of hope shine through the darkness and give us what we need to keep going.

Rays of hope keep shining and growing until the light overtakes the darkness.

If you are in a battle and are struggling to find hope, look around.

Do you see those people over there loving and helping you?

Focus on them.

I notice that sometimes, when we need help the most, we feel unworthy of asking for it.

We tell ourselves that others have it worse and that we should suffer through it alone.  

WRONG.

Don't push them away. Let them in, and let them help you.

If you know someone in a battle struggling to find hope, don't turn away.

Lean in and be a ray of hope for them.

Love them, sit with them, help them.

You might tell yourself you are unworthy of helping others. You don't feel equipped and are scared you won't know the right words or what to do.

I get it.

But what if God has sent you to be a ray of hope for them?

You don't want to hold that back, do you?

Just love and be with them; God will give you what you need to say or do to be the hope they need.

Giving hope to others helps us.

Letting others give us hope helps them.

It's a beautiful exchange of love and hope.

If we allow God's rays of hope to flow through us all, imagine all those bright sparks of light appearing in the darkness.

God's rays of hope are all around us. He sends them out through you, me, and all of us.

Hope can be found. We just have to look.

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.