PART THREE

Hope in the Midst of Hardship & Suffering

Hope isn’t rooted in our circumstances. It isn’t found in our possessions or positions but in God’s steadfast love and mercies.

In the midst of hardship and suffering, it’s easy to feel unsettled. Maybe that’s where you find yourself right now. Whether your struggles are personal—tied to physical pain, emotional turmoil, or relational difficulties—or stem from larger concerns within the body of Christ or the state of the world, you may feel like peace is out of reach.

But there is hope, even in these times of suffering.

Lamentations 3:17-33 offers a powerful reminder that God’s mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness is great. The Israelites, as they watched Jerusalem fall and experienced the destruction and despair of exile, must have felt much like we do in our darkest moments. They had lost their peace and hope, but as we read through this passage, we see that hope can be restored.

The text reminds us that hope isn’t rooted in our circumstances. It isn’t found in our possessions or positions but in God’s steadfast love and mercies. Though we may feel like everything is falling apart, God’s love never ends, and His compassion is unfailing. He is faithful, even when we are not.

Just as the author of Lamentations moves from despair to hope, so can we. Hope, not despair, is the final word. God invites us to trust in His faithfulness, to wait quietly for His salvation, and to embrace His mercy, which never ceases.

In the middle of your suffering, God still offers hope, and it is this hope that will sustain you.

Key Takeaways

• Suffering is a universal experience, but hope can be found in God’s unchanging nature.
• God’s mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness is unending.
• True peace and hope are rooted in God’s promises, not in our possessions or circumstances.
• Our struggles may feel overwhelming, but they are not the final word—God’s love and mercy prevail.
• In the midst of hardship, we can trust in God’s steadfast love, knowing He will show compassion and bring us through.

Additional Scripture References

• Lamentations 3:17-33
• Psalm 28:2
• Psalm 30:8
• Psalm 51:1
• Psalm 55:1
• Luke 18:9-14
• 1 Peter 1:3
• 2 Timothy 2:13

Study Questions

1. In what ways does Lamentations 3:17-33 help you find hope in the midst of your current struggles?
2. How can you shift your focus from external circumstances to God’s mercies and faithfulness when you feel overwhelmed?
3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God’s faithfulness in your life. How did it change your perspective on hardship?
4. How does the concept of God’s mercies being “new every morning” give you hope for the future?
5. What steps can you take to actively trust in God’s faithfulness during difficult seasons?