It’s the thing that keeps us going. The force behind our decision to get out of bed in the morning, pour that cup of coffee, turn the ignition in our car, and begin another routine day.
It’s the stillness in our chests after hours of stuffing tear-soaked cheeks into our pillows and clutching the fur throw so tightly our knuckles remain white.
It’s the quiet peace in our soul that promises if we just close our eyes for now - the sun will eventually come up and there will be less ache.
It’s the silent whisper to keep fighting to reach the light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
It is hope.
Whatever we are going through, we all need it. Hope. This sense that even though the world may be spiraling completely out of our control at the very moment, someday at some hour and some minute, we will feel okay again. We will feel loved again. Cherished again. Uplifted again. Happy again.
I know it feels like it won’t get better. Believe me, I’ve been there. There isn’t much of a difference between day and night - the darkness seems to creep its way in at all hours, overtaking your entire being and making it hard to be a light to those around you.
It feels like a shadow encompasses your entire body and it brings along a weight that is crushing you through the floor.
You probably are tired of hearing it, but I want to offer you one last nugget.
Have hope.
Even if it’s the size of a spec of dust lingering on your bathroom mirror. Have it. Hold it. Cherish it. That tiny glimmer of what comes next has the ability to lift you out of this situation. It is your David you can hold to your problematic and seemingly giant Goliath.
If you have nothing to hold on to, nothing to strive for - you will have just that. Nothing.
You need a will, a way. Something to bring you out of this.
Here are 7 bible verses to give you that spec of hope to lift you up and help you through this time:
1. Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Notice how it says to lean NOT on your OWN understanding. As Luke Bryan once said, “Sometimes the greater plan is kinda hard to understand.” We can only do so much as humans, surrender it to Him and He will straighten out your hardships.
2. Psalm 34:17-18
"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Isn’t it comforting to know that even when our heart feels like it’s broken beyond repair, Jesus is there, picking up all of the broken pieces and stitching them back together? It may take time, but He is there to do it for us.
3. Isaiah 41:10
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
He is always there. Even when we feel at our loneliest, He is right beside us. We just have to believe this and use it to help give us strength- even if it’s the smallest bit.
4. 1 Peter 4:12-13
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."
Sometimes the Lord is waiting to reveal His promises and glory to you until a timing that man cannot explain. Thus, man cannot receive glory - but all the glory must come from the Lord. There will be no other explanation. That is our testimony. He will deliver you from your troubles - trust in His timing.
5. Romans 8:24-25
"For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience."
Hope in tangible things that are right in front of us is an easy task to forego. Hope in the unseen and the future? That’s a different story. But we NEED it. We need to trust that God has it all figured out, and we WILL get out of this rut. The first step is faith. Faith in hope.
6. James 1:12
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
There is a prize at the end of this life. It is the sweet assurance from Jesus that we have finished the race and will receive everlasting life. We must get through these trials to receive it. Everlasting life in the presence of Jesus? Yes, please. These hardships are nothing compared to the glory we will eventually receive.
7. Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future."
This is my favorite verse and the verse that has gotten me through my toughest battles. That is what I rest in. That is my spec of hope. That is why I keep going.
God has a plan for my life that is hopeful and will produce a bountiful future, if only I rest in Him and leave my hope in Him. I may not know why things are happening or why certain pieces of my life’s puzzle don’t seem to fit, but He knows. He knows exactly why and exactly when it will all come together for my good.
Restore your hope today, even if it's the tiniest bit. Hold on to it - eventually it will expand and you WILL be okay.
