“I’m so tired of hearing about bad things!” (Hope)
Have you listened to the news lately?
It’s not very uplifting. No matter which way we turn sadness, horror, violence, and insanity greet us.
I see it in the stories of the innocent lives snuffed out in the name of convenience. The endless wars. The street shootings and beatings. The name calling and mudslinging. The burning of the American flag and all it stands for. The trampling of God’s name and His place in our country. The justification of sin in the name of tolerance and a “loving” God.
It generates fear, anger, and revulsion deep inside. But mostly I know confusion. How? Why? Where is God?
My son came to me the other day. “Mom, I’m so tired of hearing about bad things!”
Me too, son. Me too. But take heart!
It isn’t all bad. We don’t have to bed down in sorrow. We need to look at the bigger picture.
We aren’t to grieve as one without hope. As followers of Christ we have a hope not hinged on the workings of this temporal earth. We have a glorious hope in the steadfast arm of the Lord, in the promise of life eternal!
We should grieve. We should serve and help and speak out for the unjust and defend the innocent and confront sin.
We should do all this and more.
But in all of that, in the chaos of this world, we can have confidence in something much bigger and much better. Because even in all the pain, even in what seems insanity to us, the living and active Word assures us: God is and always will be in control.
Even in all the pain & what seems insanity to us, the Word assures us: God is & always will be in control. Click To Tweet
I AM is not looking down wringing His hands, wondering what will happen next.
He knows.
He loves.
He guides.
He redeems!
Now that’s a reason to dance!
“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'” (Isaiah 55: 8–9)
Reflections: Is there a specific verse you cling to when life seems to spin out of control?
Linking with The Gypsy Mama to write for 5 minutes flat on the prompt: “Dance”.
By His grace ≈
Julie
Find hope in your real-life struggles. We'll chase it together! I am a wife; mom of 4 (including a young adult daughter with special needs); miscarriage mom of 5; author & follower of Jesus Christ. I write, edit, speak and enjoy everything outdoors.
I am tired of the bad news too, but you’re right, we know the one who knows the answers and that is a wonderful truth. My verse is Psalm 68:19.
What a great verse of hope to hold onto, Charity! Thanks for sharing.
so thankful for the hope of Christ. <3
Amen, sweet friend!
YES and Amen Julie! Thank you for sharing in the hope Christ offers us our whole life long… on into eternity! He is always good. ~ Blessings back out to you girl, Amy
I’m “amening” you right back, Amy! Have a fabulous weekend.
Your post made me think of John 16:33 today, Julie. Good words shared here.
That’s one of my favorite verses, Caroline. Thanks for reminding me of it.
How timely! Our message this morning at church was about hope–how it is the one thing that the human heart needs. Your blog post reminds me of a glorious hymn: our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness! Indeed, on Christ the solid rock we stand!
Amazing, Julie! Our sermon had a similar theme: As we wait on the Lord in various circumstances, we need to remind ourselves that Jesus commands death. Death answers to Jesus, not the other way around. Because of that, we don’t have to be afraid, just believe. Love how God orchestrates it all just to encourage us in our hope–all because He loves us. Love that hymn, too.