Hope When You Can’t Fix It


Some situations feel like a never-ending circle. I go around and around never getting anywhere. But still, I feel like there must be something I can do. So, I keep trying. And I keep getting nowhere.

One situation has been going on for years. I’ve been praying. I’ve been searching Scripture. I’ve been having frank conversations with God, asking Him to show me what to do. I’ve wondered if I’m praying for the wrong outcome. And some days, I don’t even know what to pray for. I simply think Please help us Jesus over and over.

As a mom, I want to be able to fix this. I want to make it all better so we can all move forward. But, despite all of my research, trying different resources, and putting everything I have into it, it appears that I can’t. I’m left feeling frustrated and discouraged.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

Many trials and sorrows. Isn’t that the truth? Some go on for so long I start to wonder if there is any hope for change.

Some days I might be tempted to answer no. I can only do so much and if nothing I’ve done has worked by now, change looks like a slim chance.

The good news is—I can only do so much, but God can do So. Much. More.

I don’t know when and I don’t know how, but I know that He can. And He will. It may not look the way I expect, but that doesn’t mean He’s not at work.

Jesus overcame the world, so how could He not be able to handle this? Our situation feels huge to me. Overwhelming and heartbreaking at times. He knows that and He’s not insensitive to my feelings. Maybe that’s why Jesus reminds us that we can have peace through Him.

Though He warned us life would be far from easy, He promised us peace. Not because of anything we can do, but through Him. {Tweet this}

Through Jesus, there is peace. We can take heart, be courageous, confident, undaunted, and filled with joy because Jesus has overcome the world. (John 16:33 AMP)

If my hope rests on what I can do, I will be sorely disappointed. When my hope rests in Him, I feel comfort and peace. {Tweet this}

Waiting on what God will do is not easy. But neither is waiting to see if I can come up with any workable solutions.

But, where waiting on myself makes me worried, afraid, and filled with anxiety, waiting on God allows me to breathe. {Tweet this}

It’s a choice, and I choose to wait on God and let my hope rest in Him.

What do you choose?
Hold on to the
One Whose
Promises will never be
Empty.
In Christ,
Laura


23 comments:

  1. Love this image! #HOPECHANGESEVERYTHING

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    1. Amen to that Susan! Hope does change everything!

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  2. Laura- this spoke to me today! Thank you for the encouragement! I pray you get some relief to your trying circumstance soon!

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  3. Laura, I love this acrostic! Very powerful and inspiring. Visiting from #thoughtprovokingthursday.

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  4. It can be so discouraging when we're waiting for answers in long seasons. I've usually found God is teaching me some things, but He is faithful.

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  5. There's nothing like a good acronym to seal a thought -- and as a fellow fixer, I can so identify with your struggle here, and so rejoice in your story of faith and hope.

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  6. Laura, thank you for the acronym which now sits on an index card in plain sight!

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  7. Love your HOPE acronym!! Waiting on God and trusting Him for the best outcome is an area I continue to grow in. So thankful for His patient love, and for the confidence we find in His Word as we meditate on His promises.

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  8. Laura, love your HOPE definition. That's beautiful. How funny that we're writing on the same topic today. Beautiful post, Laura. May we wait on God for the solutions that are birthed from hope. Grateful for Hope. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for linking up with #ChasingCommunity today! ((hug))

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  9. Great choice, waiting! It's not easy though! Keep up the good work.
    God has put me in a hopeless(or so it seems) situation lately with my parents. I've been feeling He is saying, "Be still and see the salvation of the Lord." Exodus 14:13 and 2 Chronicles 20:17

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  10. Thanks, this encouraged me today. I also have one of those situations that goes on unresolved despite my best efforts. Thank you for the reminder that there is always hope with God and that our peace is not to be found in our circumstances but in him. Visiting from Grace & Truth.

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  11. This reminds me of a beautiful concept from Beth Moore in her book Believing God. She says that when God doesn't answer a prayer for an outward miracle, that He has a much greater inward miracle planned. Your words are such an encouragement today as I reflect on similar things. Thank you for sharing!

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  12. What hopeful words these are, Laura. Thanks so much for your wisdom and HOPE! #LiveFree

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  13. I love that acronym for HOPE! Thank you for sharing

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  14. I like your acronym, too. It's difficult to keep the focus in the right place sometimes, especially when things are hard or when I've been praying about something for a long time. Thanks for the encouragement.

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  15. These words resonate so strongly for me right now, Laura. Thank you for sharing. I pray the Lord will continue to strengthen you as you pray through your own situation.

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  16. Love the acronym! Hope in Christ is so much better: in things not seen. Hoping for your situation.

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  17. "I don’t know when and I don’t know how, but I know that He can. And He will. It may not look the way I expect, but that doesn’t mean He’s not at work." <--- Amen!! This is something I am constantly reminding myself of.

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  18. Love the acrostic and the message here. Thanks Laura!

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  19. I've had many seasons where the outcome or timing of the outcome was out of my control. It's only through putting my hope in Christ in the waiting that I was able to find peace. Thank you so much for sharing this.

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  20. Laura
    This is right where God has me. Our Confidence is in Christ Jesus!
    That is where wen find our Rest and Peace In Christ Jesus !
    Amen Amen Amen

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  21. Laura,

    I completely understand your momma heart hear. It is so hard to continually see our loved ones suffer and endure things we would rather take for them. But HOPE... it is a place of expectancy we can take, isn't it? I love this, " I don’t know when and I don’t know how, but I know that He can. And He will. It may not look the way I expect, but that doesn’t mean He’s not at work." That is what hope allows us to do, to remember He is working it out...to remember that He is on our side.
    Thanks for sharing this at the #GraceMoments link up, I am so grateful you are a part of the community.
    Blessings,
    Dawn

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