His Strength – My Hope
There is a special song, His Strength is Perfect, by Steven Curtis Chapman that my husband used to play for me after a tough day. My favorite verse in the song is:
“His strength is perfect when our strength is gone.
He’ll carry us when we can’t carry on.
Raised in His power, the weak become strong.
His strength is perfect.”
I always found such comfort in the lyrics and I still find myself breathing a sigh of relief when I read these words, reminding me of the Lord’s tender care of me. As I reflect on some of the difficult challenges, suffering and even tragedies that our hurting world faces daily, I find myself clinging to God’s promises of His love and hope found throughout the bible and through His Son. I have to hold on to the promises that God is in control, that He cares about our suffering, that He will surround me with loving, supportive relationships, and that our suffering won’t last forever.
Circumstances in daily life can feel very overwhelming at times and it can be easy to fall into doubt and despair. At times like this, I must remember that God is with me and has always been. He is present in all of our suffering and pain. He knows every struggle and sorrow we endure and wants us to turn to Him in these times, in addition to times of joy and praise. When my loved ones are faced with difficult or painful situations, I find myself confidently assuring them of God’s presence in their suffering. I remind them that I too, will be by their side, fervently praying for their peace and healing.
One of the precious gifts that God gives to each of us is relationships. My spouse, friends, companions, and community; all of these relationships can provide comfort, prayer, understanding and advice to us in our difficult times. When my family was in the midst of a painful situation, we were able to share our struggles with a few trusted friends and family and we were swiftly embraced in loving prayer and support. Consequently, as we emerge stronger and wiser from hard times, we can offer our prayer, love and care to others who are struggling. I don’t always have the words to say that will comfort someone but the Holy Spirit can give me the wisdom to speak as a beacon of hope to someone else who is overwhelmed and burdened.
Finally, in times when our hearts are breaking, we don’t always realize that our pain may lessen, or be changed somehow. Our suffering won’t last forever because we have the promise of Revelation 21:4
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.
Our God is ever-present, reminding us that this life is temporary, that our hope is in Him and we will see Him face-to-face one day. Our greatest gift of hope is the promise of eternal life through our savior Jesus Christ.
If we find ourselves looking for hope when everything around us feels like it is falling apart, we don’t have to look far. We have a loving Father who is waiting to carry us when we feel like we can’t carry on. Our hope is found when we trust what God has promised through His word and in the death and resurrection of His Son, and when we finally allow Him to guide and carry us.