Where Does Your Hope Rest?

“God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.”
C. S. Lewis / “Collected Letters of C. S. Lewis” (2006)

'God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.' C.S. Lewis Share on X

My family traveled through this past week with cricks in our necks. Well at least a couple of us did.

Poor Zachary and Rachel spent the past five days seeing everything a bit crooked, with their heads tipped to one side. (Yes, they both are better now.)

One of the many things I love about my daughter is whenever there is pain involved—her own or that of someone else—she tries to see the hope in the situation. Periodically throughout her neck episode, she’d look at me, eyes shining, and vocalize a sound that meant “better!?” while touching her sore muscles.

A Tentative Hope

This tender gesture appeared a tentative sort of hope. Rachel wanted her neck to get better. She expected it to get better. But she wasn’t quite sure if she could count on it. “I want to hope, but can I?” she seemed to ask.

Many of us walk  through life this same way. We carry ourselves confidently when days run smoothly, but that assurance wanes as struggles pop up. 

Can I get through this? Will the pain ever end? Where is the joy? Will I ever be whole again? These are just a few questions that plague us when the going gets rough.

Rach experienced a questioning hope during her recent bout of Wry neck. And don’t we tend to do the same in our pain?

Rock Solid Hope!

Yet as Christians, we should hold no such hope. Hear me on this, my friends.

As Christians, our hope is rock solid! An assured hope, it rests firmly on Jesus Christ.

As Christians, our hope is rock solid! An assured hope, it rests firmly on Jesus Christ. Share on X

Christians hold onto a hope that began with an Infant’s cry and grew through the tearing of whips and the piercing of nails. A Christian’s hope is firmly anchored in the bodily resurrection of the Messiah and evidenced by an empty cross and a vacant tomb.

We have a hope that does not depend on our circumstances or fluctuate with our feelings.

Through Jesus Christ’s victory over death, we can proclaim our victory as well. We can drop the question mark. It will get better! That’s a guarantee. 

Our Savior died so we never again have to question whether things will get better. They will, you can count on it! Share on X

Yes, Rachel, better! You can count on it!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)

Reflections: Where are you anchoring your hope: tentatively in your circumstances or feelings or solidly in Jesus Christ’s victory over death?

Linking up again this year with Ann Voskamp’s 2014 Joy Dare. Find the linkup at A Holy Experience. Beginning where I left off in 2013. What a blessing! #2672–2692, read the entire list by clicking here.

• More items checked off my Confirmation and Graduation lists; Rach’s stuffed-crab fun; This crazy goose up close and personal
• Ice is going out of the lake–another sign that spring has sprung; An unexpected gift of being home today; Comforting sound of the furnace as temps drop below 20 again
•  Strange beauty of a dry oak leaf tumbling across the lot; Professing “Thy will be done” shouts His victory and ours; Zach singing in church choir–love that boy’s voice–love that boy!
• Spring rains washing all clean; Choosing to do lunch with Sisters instead of work–needed choice; Cherished note that brings out the sun on a dreary day
• No more “short-of-breath” issues for Zach!; Day spent with hubby planning how to bless our youngest.; Kisses blown through the air
• Visiting with other West Delaware parents at the solo/ensemble music festival and the music!; Tromping around our land; Teens who support other teens
• Nice enough to edit outside!; Hard questions leading to in-depth personal Bible study; A boy who grew into a young man of conviction