Finding Hope

Where does hope come from?

Is it something we naturally have, something that is with us without needing to search for it?

Or is it something we need to find?

Where does it come from?

Sustain me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be disappointed in my hope. - Psalm 119:116

I have a friend who is struggling to retain what little hope he has left.  His name is Barry and for the past two and a half years, he has had his hopes stolen by cancer and the after-effects of treatment.

He doesn't sleep much and the lack of sleep leaves him so exhausted, he is an emotional wreck.  He needs your prayers.

The line from Psalm 119 is a prayer.  Sustain me, Oh God, according to your promise.  Let me not lose faith in my hope.  Let me not be disappointed.

There comes a time in all our lives when we have nothing tangible to offer.

You had been worried about him.  He hadn't answered your emails or hadn't sent cards on special occasions.  The norm had somehow been broken.  So, you reach out and he calls.

At first you are elated.  He's alive.

But as he explains what he has been going through, you realize more time had passed than you thought since you last spoke.  And a wave of guilt flows over you.

What can you do?

I cannot simply offload my hope onto him.  It doesn't work that way.  Anything I say may sound hollow, naive.

So, I listen and I offer to pray.

If hope is the commodity of faith, what is the transaction that debits one account and credits another?

I believe it is prayer.

Father in Heaven, draw down my surplus of hope and shower some on your son Barry.  Fill his day with sunshine and joy.  Ease his mind.  Help him sleep.

The challenge we have, the cross we have to bear is not always our own pain and suffering.  Sometimes it is hearing the pain in the voice of another.

So, as I share with you the need for hope and prayers fro my friend, I ask God to shower on you, also, hope for all you face, for all who are struggling in your life.  For we do not know the hour or the day, and the fear of that moment should not strangle us in this and every moment we have been given.

Deep peace I pray for you.  Make this the best day possible.

More to come...