Fighting for Hope

Hi, this is Nancy, and I’ve been thinking…

I don’t know about you, but it seems to me that the world is much smaller since March of 2020.  First, we endured a global pandemic —a global pandemic –!  That tiny mighty virus quickly traveled across national and cultural divides, oceans, mountains, and deserts and changed the world. One of its many effects was that we became isolated from one another. Then hot on the heels of Covid came a season of racial and political turmoil that further divided us. Loneliness, anxiety, depression, sadness, loss, fear….these are the enemies many of us have been fighting every day.

And now there is war. It is devastating to those who are directly affected, of course. Our hearts are broken over the destruction, suffering and loss. But it’s also a global tragedy.  Even here, half a world away, we are feeling the effects of this war. We pick up our phones and see the devastation and horrors of burning buildings and the weary, fear-filled faces of people, just like us, who are fleeing to safety. We are reaching out our hands and lifting up prayers for our neighbors, our sisters and brothers in Ukraine. We are doing what we can to help. It seems like it’s happening in our backyard.

There is no doubt that our world is being shaken. So, in this dark and frightening world, how can we, as Christians, find the hope and strength we need to  battle hopelessness and fear every day, and to encourage one another? How can we climb out of bed each morning overwhelmed by hope instead of fear?

Can I be honest with you? I am in this battle too. Though I know with all my heart that God is faithful and that He is in control, life just is not making sense. I want to trust God’s plan. But the message of the world around me is gloom and doom.  It’s easy to lose hope. The world’s hopeless script is coming at us from all directions all day long.

For me, the key to standing firm when is seems like everything around me is shaking is to stand on the promises found in God’s Word, the Bible. To plant my feet on the Rock of my Salvation and His faithful love. For in an uncertain world, He is the only true source of certain hope.

I have set the LORD always before me;

Because He is at my right hand,

I shall not be shaken.

–Psalm 16:8

I came across a devotional at the beginning of 2021, and discovered a tool that helps restore my hope. The devotional is called “Dealing with Uncertainty” (Day 4) by YouVersion. It’s simply about declaring the promises of God. Speaking them out loud. Praying them back to God.  Letting them wash over me. Reaffirming God’s love for me, and my choice to trust Him.

I’d like to share a bit of it with you here.

🌱The thoughts you fill your mind with are critical…

Paraphrasing from the devotional: The thoughts you fill your mind with are critical, because what you fill your mind with will affect your perception, your emotional and physical well-being, and your attitude. “If you choose to dwell on God’s promises, you start to recognize God’s blessings during uncertain times. Plus, trusting that God will redeem your present pain equips you to walk forward in faith and keep on fighting.”

It seems these days as we are showered with troublesome news we can find ourselves in a daily battle with uncertainty and hopelessness. Personally, though some days are harder than others, I have decided to keep on fighting for hope. So, I am strapping on my Promise Toolbelt as I march into the day. I am surrounding myself with the hope-filled promises of God. I write them down in my journal, or on sticky notes. I  tape them over my kitchen sink, on the bathroom mirror, in my car. I listen to them before I pillow my head for the night and before my feet hit the floor in the morning.

If my fight for hope is resonating with you, I’d like to suggest that when you find yourself walking through a dark and dismal day, take a pause and strap on  your Promise Toolbelt.  Pick 1 or 2 promises. Rehearse them, meditate on them, speak them, pray them, memorize them. Stand with your feet firmly planted in truth. Allow God’s Word to transform the way you think.

God has packed the Bible chock-full of promises for you and me. Here are just a few:

• God will sustain you. Psalm 55:22

• God’s peace will guard your heart. Philippians 4:7

• God delights over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

• God will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. Psalm 32:8

• God is your refuge and strength your help in times of need. Psalm 46:1

• God will never leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

• In all things, you are more than a conqueror because God loves you. Romans 8:37-39

• Nothing can separate you from God’s love. Romans 8:38

• God’s not done with you. God’s NOT done with you. God’s not done with YOU. Philippians 1:6

So, let’s make it personal. These Bible promises, and many others, are 100% true, and they are probably familiar to most of us. But we forget, don’t we? God put them there so they would be accessible to you and me. He knew we would need to be reminded. He knew we would need them in times like this.

I pray that this gives you some encouragement today!

I would love to send you a gift:

25 Favorite Bible Promises pdf

Please feel free to share this article. And  if you like this content, please consider subscribing to our website Just2Miles.com  I would love to send you a PDF of some of my favorite Scripture Promises for your encouragement and sharing.

Here is a link to the complete YouVersion 5 day Bible Plan “Dealing with Uncertainty” I highly recommend it!  https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/21299-dealing-with-uncertainty

Thanks so much for reading to the end! Be blessed and be a blessing to someone today.

🌷nm