Hope in Troubling Times

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Pixabay (Courtesy of bertvthul)

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life.

Psalm 138:7a (ESV)

The first daffodils are blooming here in the South with bright golden hues, and the first day of March ushered in 80-degree temperatures. Certainly, Spring is in the air, and I must say I’m welcoming it after two snow falls in January (a rarity). And just as the weather has already set records in this new year, this season in my heart revealed its own record of pain––my family has experienced another great loss.

My father-in-law went to be with Jesus on February 7, only thirteen months after my own father lifted his eyes in glory. To say life feels chaotic, heavy, and hard doesn’t fully hit the mark––but I don’t possess the words to offer a correct description. Still, I am determined to take my brokenness to Jesus and implore Him to put the pieces of my heart back together.

The Psalms have become fertile ground for my soul over the past years, and this morning I heard the Holy Spirit whisper words of hope into my heart as I read aloud: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life.” I couldn’t stop a tear from escaping as I thought about the magnitude of the Psalmist’s declaration.

The small word “in'' found within this scripture made a huge impact on my heart as I recognized that God “preserves” mewhile I am in my troubles. I found my Savior assuring me that when the enemy of my soul seeks to hold me captive to despair, destroy my hope, and drown me in sorrow, I can have confidence in God’s power to comfort me and carry me through.

Sweet friend, are you drowning in chaos? Does trouble threaten to snuff out your hope? Let me encourage you––as I encourage myself––to remember we have a hope beyond earthly explanation, and it is not dependent upon our circumstances. Our hope is found in Jesus—the One familiar with “sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). He will preserve us in the midst of troubles and fears, for there is no place that we can go that He is not there, and there is no pain we can feel He doesn’t meet us in.

Prayer

Dear Father,

The heaviness on my heart threatens to crush my hope, and it is difficult to see a way through this present pain. Please help me to remember and declare that You are with me, even here, and my heart is safe with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ponder

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1 ESV)

How can seeing God in your current circumstances renew your hope today? Make a list of ways He is preserving you while you walk the difficult paths.

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