
It is hard to believe that another year has come and gone! Last year felt like a whirlwind of chaos and noise where so much happened all around the world. Some of you are sighing in relief and are excited about this year, some of you are happy about your current circumstances, and some of you are indifferent, maybe struggling, and just trying to survive the day-to-day. One thing is true probably of most of us, when the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, many of us set our focus on what’s ahead, and our level of hope probably got a reset, giving us a fresh outlook. But we all know too well that within a few weeks of ringing in the new year, many of us find it hard to keep up the enthusiasm, the hopeful spring in our step.
Dr. Charles Stanley once said, “You may go through difficulty, hardship, or trial—but as long as you are anchored to Him, you will have hope.” It took me a while to learn what this means. God gave us simple instructions in the Bible, and yet they are the hardest things to do sometimes. And the hardest things to do in life, such as trusting God, being grateful and rejoicing in all circumstances, and especially loving God and loving others are often developed and perfected in hard times. I speak from experience as I have matured the most in my faith during difficult situations, but just like the apostle Paul said, “I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me,” (Philippians 3:12, MSG). This is a lifelong journey with Jesus, “But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is,” (1 John:3:2, NLT).
So, how can we live a life full of hope and joy every day knowing that there might be things this year, as there were last year, that will weigh us down? How do we stay anchored to Him so that we will have hope throughout the new year and always?
I think the first thing to do is: Acknowledge that we live in a fallen world, and we have an enemy who is like a “thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy,” (John 10:10, ESV). And the apostle Paul said, “That our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,” (Ephesians 6:12, BSB). But we shouldn’t be discouraged because Jesus said, “I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully,” (John 10:10, CEV). “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world,” (John 16:33, NIV).
The second thing to do is: Acknowledge that there are seasons in life. King Solomon said, “To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven, … a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4). The Bible describes these different seasons as mountaintop and valley experiences. The Bible uses mountaintop experiences as times when God gives His people strength, gives them divine knowledge, revelation, or instruction, and a special closeness to God is felt there. Valleys or wilderness experiences usually symbolize hardship, a time of temptation and testing, but also a time of tremendous growth and some divine intervention. When you read the Bible cover to cover, you will learn that God is present in the highs and in the lows of life.
The third thing to do is: Know who God is and know who you are in Him. Here are some Bible verses that remind us of who God is. He is:
• Abba Father (Romans 8:15).
• El-Shaddai, God Almighty (Genesis 17:1)
• Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
• Emmanuel: God with us (Isaiah 7:14)
• Jehovah Jireh: The LORD our provider (Genesis 22:14)
• Jehovah Rapha: The LORD our Healer (Exodus 15:26)
• Jehovah Nissi: The LORD our Banner (Exodus 17:15)
• Jehovah Shalom: The LORD our Peace (Judges 6:24)
• Jehovah Raah: The LORD our Shepherd (Psalms 23:1)
• Jehovah Tsidkenu: The LORD our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6)
• Jehovah Shammah: The LORD is Here (Ezekiel 48:35)
• Jehovah Mephalti: The LORD my Deliverer (Psalm 182)
• Jehovah Mekoddishkem: The LORD who sanctifies (Leviticus 20:7, 8)
• El Roi: “The God who sees me” (Genesis 16)
Here are some Bible verses that remind us of who we are in Christ (Biblegateway.com):
- Child of God (Galatians 3:26)
- Greatly Loved (Romans 5:8)
- God’s Masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10)
- Complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)
- Friend of God (John15:15)
Knowing all of this, my prayer is that this new year would be a year of new-found hope and renewed trust in God because God has promised us “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart,” (Jeremiah 29:11-13). Keep seeking Him first, (Matthew 6:33). He is with us on the mountaintop and in the valley, and He will not leave us nor forsake us, (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Blessings,
Flora
Beautiful verses that you have picked of our Lord. He is always with us no matter when we reach out. Amen and blessings to all!
Beautiful reminder that as long as we have Christ, we always have hope in any circumstance!
Flora,
How did you know I needed this message of Hope today? Your words are God sent.
🙏🙏🙏
Please keep sharing.
What great timing with these words Flora. Thank you for these words and verses of encouragement and hope.