Thursday, February 23, 2023

Lately it seems like the world has gone crazy. Covid, mass shootings, spy balloons, hurricanes, earthquakes, mental health crises, and more. And that’s in addition to the sorrows, trials, and craziness we are each personally experiencing. Life can seem so overwhelming at times. So how can we find peace, hope, and joy when everything is seemingly out of control?

The answer can be found when we consider what each of us is focusing on. Are you consumed by watching the news? Are you focusing on your problems? Or are you focusing on God and his promises?

I am so excited about the new series we kicked off last weekend, Promises, Promises. The focus of this series is that God's promises give us real hope when life is hard. 

Holman’s Bible Dictionary defines hope as “trustful expectation, particularly with reference to the fulfillment of God’s promises.” Biblical hope is the anticipation of a favorable outcome under God’s guidance. More specifically, hope is the confidence that what God has done for us in the past gives us assurance of what God will do in the future.

Romans 15:13
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

This verse gives me such hope, especially when I am struggling. I know I will experience sorrows on this earth, but I want to live in God’s peace, joy, and hope at all times. As Jesus said:

John 16:33
I have told you all of this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

This verse has always given me great comfort when I am hurting. It reminds me that Jesus himself suffered many trials and sorrows, but he overcame them, and he will comfort and strengthen me during mine. I don’t have to deal with them on my own. Yet that doesn’t prevent me from being surprised when trials and sorrows come my way.

1 Peter 4:12-13 
¹² Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange was happening to you. ¹³ Instead, be very glad-for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

I love it that Peter calls us “dear friends.” He reminds us that we will go through tough times, but we can be thankful that Jesus is with us during our suffering—we are never alone. He is our comforter and strength and loves us dearly. Peter reminds us that suffering draws us closer to Jesus. 

When I look back on my life, I realize that it’s during the times of my greatest suffering and trials when I call out to Jesus most. And he is always there, offering his love and giving me his comfort and strength. Those moments increased my faith tremendously. 

I no longer fear my trials and burdens as I once did, because I know Jesus will be with me throughout my journey. This knowledge fills me with his great peace, joy, and hope. 

Questions:
What are you focusing on during your trials? What have you gained from experiencing trials and sorrows? 

Next Steps:
Write out the above verses on index cards and meditate on them daily. Add some of your favorite verses to the cards. If you would like a list of verses to remind you of some of God’s many promises, text Promises to 419-419-0707.

Prayer:
Jesus, I need you! I thank you for your presence. I am so grateful that my God loves and cares for me so much, that he, the God of the universe, is always there for me. Help me to lean on you during my sorrows and struggles. Please continue to increase my faith and hope in you. Jesus, make my greatest desire to tell others about your amazing love. Amen.