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When we are joyful, we might say that being hopeful is straightforward but is it? Is being hopeful in God easy? Sometimes we converse about being hopeful in God with an implicit assumption that it is just a choice one makes and boom, high hopes in God! It is not a matter of not knowing whether we can trust in God. All of us would perhaps have many testimonies about what the Lord did for us in the past. The disciples had fresh memories of Jesus healing large numbers of sick people and casting out demons. But some storms in life, sudden or persistent, waves rolling into our boat, are immense enough to terrify us and create doubts that rage in our minds about whether the Lord cares about what we are going through [Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25; Matthew 8:23-27]. Immense enough to drown our faith, these storms leave us crying hopelessly, pushed to find comfort solutions from the dirty world around us.
"...some storms in life, sudden or persistent, waves rolling into our boat, are immense enough to terrify us and create doubts that rage in our minds about whether the Lord cares about what we are going through..."
Storms are storms, waves are real, and the fear of drowning is real. When such a moment comes, it is very crucial to remind oneself of truths of the gospel. Remind yourself of who God is and has been to you. The fresh thoughts of what He has been doing. The memories of how by His love for you, He delivered you with a mighty hand, not only out of Egypt, but out of many things that seemed insurmountable to you [Exodus 13:14]. God can lead us through the wilderness, not to perish, but to nurture our faith. To make us trust in Him. He delivered you to dwell with you [Exodus 29:46].
"Remind yourself of who God is and has been to you."
Hope in God is not supposed to be smooth, or easily adopted by our souls. What matters is not to create other gods [Exodus 20:3; 23:33] but to remind oneself of Gospel truths. Indeed, one time in the future you will look back like King David and say that the Lord always restores your soul and leads you in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake [Psalm 23:3].
Remind yourself of the gospel truths; take a moment and remember who God is and who He’s been to you. And just then, wait for the Lord. Be strong. Let your heart take courage. Wait for the Lord. [Psalm 27:14].
"Remind yourself of the gospel truths; take a moment and remember who God is and who He’s been to you. And just then, wait for the Lord. Be strong. Let your heart take courage. Wait for the Lord."
