Why We Can Have Hope in the Midst of Our Worst Circumstances

Gold Brush Stroke

Sometimes life looks much different than we expect. Sometimes situations seem hopeless. Yet looks can be deceiving!

We can have hold onto hope, even in our worst circumstances.

hope in your worst circumstances

The Worst Circumstances

Job discovered this. (If you haven’t yet, you must read the book of Job!). He faced death of loved ones, destruction of his property: the worst calamities you can imagine.

In fact, at one point, Job wished he were dead: it was that bad!

Yet with God, what looks like the end of anything good is often the beginning of something beautiful. God fully restored Job with far more than he had previously possessed.

With God, what looks like the end of anything good is often the beginning of something beautiful. Share on X

Of course Job still grieved the loss of his children, but the lesson he learned about the faithfulness of God was invaluable. 

In the end, Job’s most difficult struggle yielded the most valuable lesson. I’m finding the same to be true.

The most difficult struggles yield the most valuable lessons. Share on X

Death’s Lie

I remember always wanting to be a mother. So when I became pregnant for the first time, I couldn’t wait to hold our little bundle.

Yet, instead of the life I expected, I walked away from the clinic with no heartbeat and no baby to welcome into this world.

The darkness that greeted me in the miscarriage of our first child, sucked me into a vacuum of grief. Everywhere I looked I saw death.

I fell into the lie that death was permanent. I didn’t yet grasp the truth that it had already been defeated. The victory already won! 

As God demonstrated His faithfulness to me through the years that followed though (and more difficult circumstances), I began to learn a priceless truth:

In Christ’s defeat of death on the cross, He secured abiding hope!

In Christ's defeat of death on the cross, He secured abiding hope! Share on X

Life in God’s Hands

Oh, I grieved the child I didn’t get to hold, and rightly so, but the Lord revealed to me that I didn’t need to grieve as one with no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

Thanks to the work of the Savior, death holds no power in the lives of His followers. Death is never an end for Christians, but merely the beginning of something far more beautiful! 

Thanks to the work of the Savior on the cross, death holds no power in the lives of His followers. Share on X

The earthly life of my sweet child never came to be, but make no mistake, she lives! What I had grieved as death is life in the hands of God. 

Losing someone or something we love will always be hard. But when looked at through the eyes of faith, one can see a new possibility.

Because for those who love Him, God redeems all situations, bringing beautiful life out of what we deem dead and offers everlasting hope…

…hope in the midst of even the worst circumstances!

For those who love Him, God brings beautiful life out of what we deem dead and offers everlasting hope! Share on X

“For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17 NLT

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28 

Reflections: Where have you seen life sprout from what appeared to be dead? In what situations have you learned the greatest lessons? Where are you looking for hope?

I am always thrilled to link up with Suzie Eller for #livefreeThursday and this week’s prompt, “life and death.” Also check out Suzie’s 30 Days to Life Shaking Study. It’s not too late to join! Click on the title or image to find out more or sign up.

LIVEFREETHURSDAY

By His Grace,

Julie

6 Comments

  1. Kristine Brown MTY on January 21, 2016 at 6:15 am

    Julie, thank you for sharing your story here. I love the perspective you give on the book of Job. I just read it the other day in my Bible-in-a-year reading plan. I never thought of it as a book of hope, but it is! ‘The most difficult struggles yield the most valuable lessons.’ Amen!

    • Julie Sunne on January 21, 2016 at 1:04 pm

      I never used to think of Job in that way either, Kristine! We have to get past Job’s horrific struggles to see the hope and redemption God imparts.

  2. Cindy on January 21, 2016 at 8:18 pm

    Julie, just wanted you to know that my family is dealing with a devastating cancer diagnosis right now and your words are so timely and encouraging. Thank you for sharing your personal story. It touched me today, Cindy

    • Julie Sunne on January 22, 2016 at 8:23 am

      Dear Cindy, I’m so sorry for the heartache you and your family are experiencing!

      Lord, You alone know the extent of the grief, confusion, and, yes, anger Cindy and her family are experiencing right now in the wake of this horrible diagnosis. You alone know the beginning, the middle, and the end. You alone know why You’ve allowed such sorrow. But Lord strengthen them in their faith, to know You love them so much, that You have good plans for each of them, despite what circumstances seem to say. Give them a peace in the midst of this tragic mess, a peace that is far beyond human understanding, a peace that can only be brought about by the hope we can always have in You. May You be ever praised! Amen!

      Hugs to you and your family.

      • Cindy on January 23, 2016 at 8:25 pm

        Oh, Julie…..God Bless You and Thank You!

        • Julie Sunne on January 23, 2016 at 9:11 pm

          Let us know how we can pray for you in the future, Cindy. Blessings.

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Julie Sunne

Hello, I'm Julie, an imperfect wife and mother of four. Life in this broken world is not always easy. Yet, joy can be found in each day through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I find it's easy for our day's blessings to get lost in its happenings. But God's "mercies never end" (Lamentations 3:22) and His "grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

May the posts and pages on this site offer you a measure of peace and encouragement.

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