When Hope is Hard

Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
    Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3

Miracles.

Miracles of restoration.

Miracles of purpose.

That’s what has been on my mind for the last two months. I believe wholeheartedly God has laid these words on my heart for 2024. My mind is constantly thinking about miracles of restoration and miracles of purpose.

However, I am in the process of waiting to see the miracles come to fruition.

I know what restoration I am looking for. I know what purpose I am laying at His feet. And so I pray, begging God daily to pour out the miracles in our lives.

Yet, the answer is not instantaneous. It is a process. I know I am praying according to His will, so I know He will answer (1 John 5:14-15).  But I wait.

Do I wait expectantly? Sometimes.

Do I wait without fear? Rarely.

Do I wait without worry? Worry consumes me so many days.

So how do I choose to wait with expectation instead of worry and fear and anxiety?

I think that is the question I have struggled with most over the last few months.

If we are honest, I know the answer. It’s found in so many scriptures we know and love.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:6-8

You will keep in perfect peace
    all who trust in you,
    all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

But let’s be honest: we are human. Sometimes changing our mind, allowing our minds to be filled with the things that are lovely and noble and true and right is a lot easier said than done. Holding to the promises of God when circumstances scream the opposite is difficult in our human state. Being transformed by changing the way we think is a process, not one for the faint of heart.

And so here I sit, trying to wait with incredible expectation of the good God is going to do while I see no movement.

Have you been here?

Isn’t it wonderful that we have a Savior who understands our human–and imperfect–condition?

I have found myself recently just crying out simple phrases to God.

“Lord, help my unbelief.”

“Miracles of restoration and purpose.”

“Jesus.”

Sometimes I have nothing more to say. And then, the Holy Spirit reminds me that when I have no words, He is at the right hand of the throne of God making intercession for me with groanings no words can interpret (Romans 8:26).

When I worry and fret about those I love who are far from God, He reminds me of the calling He has on their life. He gives me the gentle reminder that His will and His call are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).

When I ask Him to take the mustard seed of faith that has been planted in their hearts and make it a mountain-moving faith, He reminds me that He has begun a good work in them and won’t stop until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).

He reminds me that when I let my thoughts run wild, when I fail to take them captive to the obedience of Christ, I am being controlled by the sinful nature which leads to death. But, if I can learn to wait with expectation, clinging to the hope He has given me, meditating on the promises mentioned here, I will find life and peace (Romans 8:6).

But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently. Romans 8:25

This life is hard sometimes, my friends. And yet, He is good. Forever and Always. He is faithful. In all things. He is a Promise Keeper. Forever and ever.

What are you trusting Him for today? Will you join me in keeping our minds focused on Him and trusting Him for miracles–both big and small? Will you