How to Hold onto Hope in the Middle of a Storm

What do you do when the bottom has dropped out?

Why … you hold onto hope, of course!

What do you do when the most ferocious of storms is threatening all that you value and all that is dear in life?

Why … you tie yourself to the anchor of hope, of course!

What do you do when mountains won’t move and when deserts are hot and when people walk away?

What in the world do you do?

My advice to you is to find a single strand of hope … to tie it to your heart … and then refuse to let it slip away.

Sometimes … hope is your only hope.

Hope is one of the greatest gifts and most valuable treasures in a human life.  A serious problem presents itself when we are more aware of our disappointment and heart pain than we are of hope.

But what exactly is this diamond called “hope”?  And where in the world to you find it?

Can hope be bought or sold?

It’s been my experience that although hope is not found in any store or at any online venue, you do possess something that you are able to trade in order to become the proud owner of “hope”.

It is possible, indeed, to exchange your disappointment and pain for an astounding sliver of hope.   The amazing truth is this … all it takes is a sliver of hope.  Just the tiniest sliver of hope is able to add great value to a disintegrating life.

Isn’t that astounding?!  You take your pain to the Father … and He gives you hope!

Just a sweet reminder, though … you will never receive hope while you are holding onto discouragement and heart pain.  Hope and disappointment are mutually exclusive.  It is impossible for “hope” and “disappointment” to exist in the same heart.  

You can gather up all of your discouragement … your frustration … your envy … and your disappointment … and throw it at the throne of God Almighty!  And do you know what he gently yet powerfully gives you in return?

He presents to you the hope of Sarah and Abraham before your circumstances ever change!

“Even as Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” – Galatians 3:6

“By faith, even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.” – Hebrews 11:11

He bequeaths the hope of Joshua to a battle-weary soul.

“By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.” – Hebrews 11:30

When all you see are impossibilities and certain destruction, our God is well able to endow the hope and faith of Moses.

“By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.” – Hebrews 11:24 & 25

“By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.” – Hebrews 11:29

When the winds wail and the storms crash around the little boat of your life, God will give to you the anchor of His hope.

“So that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.  This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast …” Hebrews 6:18 & 19

Hope is tenacious and bold and stubborn.  Hope outlasts … out shouts … and out sings any human emotion of the soul.

Hope is not an emotion nor is it a mere strength of human personality.  Hope finds its conception in the very heart of Christ.

You will never have true hope until you have Christ.

The world often will present counterfeits of this eternal substance known as “hope”.  

The culture in which you live will try to convince you that positive thinking is enough … that pulling yourself up by your bootstraps is enough … that it is simply time for you to put on your big girl panties and get a grip.

Frankly … none of those humanistic philosophies have ever worked for me and I have tried them all.

I doubt that they will work for you, either.

There is only one eternal tenet that regulates my heartbeat when times are tough and when life is devastating.  There is one only one.

Hope.

Hope is the full assurance that God is in control.  Hope is the God-given guarantee that I am not nor will I ever be forgotten.

Hope is the joy of His presence … it is the peace that rushes in as a result of trusting the good Father … and it delivers the wisdom of the ages.

Hope is more than enough strength … it is more than enough power … and it is more than enough promise to shield me from any category 5 storm in life!

Hope, although it often whispers, is louder than my craziest fears and is the most vibrant and active cheerleader in my life.

Hope has the expertise to dig into the manure of my heart and to replace the rotting issues with the sweet and fragrant promise of spring.

If your life is a mass of confusion, pain and disappointment, know that God wants to envelope your soul with His hope.  Hope is only found in Him.  There is no other source of hope.

Hope is not found in a candidate, in a destination, in a degree plan or in a marriage license.

Hope cannot be discovered in pay raises or bonuses, in real estate acquisitions or in career promotions.

“Are there any among the idols of the nations who give rain?  Or can the heavens grant showers?  Is it not You, O Lord our God?  Therefore we hope in You, for You are the One who has done all these things.” – Jeremiah 14:22

Hope happens when I join my heart with His in a glorious symphony of praise to His faithfulness and unconditional love.

“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?  Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” – Psalm 42:11