Nothing tests your faith like a trial, and nothing allows you to see the magnitude of God’s faithfulness than when you stand on the other side of the trial and look back.
Highlighting Hope was birthed in a time of great trial and great change. In September of 2016, we experienced the loss of our third child due to miscarriage. As common as miscarriages can be, it was a tremendous loss felt by our family. The very next week, my husband was moved into a new position for work, which meant he was going to start working on a jobsite three hours from home. This was an opportunity that we had prayed and waited for, yet it seemed so ill-timed. I found myself being filled with anger and bitterness because I felt left to handle everything on my own at such a fragile time. I was grieving, trying to heal physically and emotionally, and continue to be the mother that my two children needed. As days passed, I found myself feeling like I needed to stop and catch my breath and yet life steadily continued on, stopping for nothing.
Looking back, I realized that I was never alone or abandoned. God was steadily at work and doing a lot of new things in the life our family; but what He was teaching me was a greater dependence upon Him and a greater surrender to Him. Never had I been more desperate to remember, see, and believe upon the hope I have in Christ. As the months passed, it was as if God began highlighting all around me the reason for my hope to be in Him and His voice of truth became louder and more prevalent than ever before.
We all go through valleys- but thankfully, those who have the hope of Jesus, know that we are never left to walk through the valley alone. Jesus always walks with us and his “rod and staff” comforts and guides us along the path, even when we cannot see. Though, we may feel like we are in the dark, I take great rest in knowing that even the darkness is not dark to our Savior, for darkness is as light with him (Psalm 139).
In the night, in great despair
Lord, Jesus you are there
The Great I am, you light my way
For even in the darkness you still shine.
Jesus you are my hope in the night
I have no need to wait till morning
Cause even in the darkness, you shine as bright as the day.
Lord, you lift me up and your right hand holds me.
In your goodness, you are ever sustaining me
Never will you let me fall.
Jesus you are my hope in the night
I have no need to wait till morning
Cause even in the darkness, you shine as bright as the day.
Arise, O Lord, and shine on us!
Your light has come and It fills this place!!
Open up our mouths to declare you praise
For you alone are our hope in the night
And you never stop lighting the way!!
Scripture references:
Psalm 139, Psalm 55:2, Psalm 51:15, Isaiah 60:1
Blessings to you as you read!
Highlighting the hope that we have in Christ! 