How Can I Find Hope in the Middle of Sorrow?Sample

DAY THREE | FAITH RESTS ON THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF GOD TO KEEP HIS PROMISES

One thing I continue to contemplate is the true meaning of the word 'faith', not just for others but for myself. The dictionary offers various definitions, but the one I resonate with the most is 'To have great trust or confidence in something or someone.'

Hebrews 11:1 instructs us that "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."

Throughout the Bible, faith is likened to a staircase. You may intellectually know that the stairs go up to the next level, but you won't truly experience that level until you climb the stairs. This is what Martin Luther King Jr. meant when he said, "Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase." I won't lie, in times of deep pain and sorrow, I have struggled to have this kind of faith.

However, looking at the Hebrew origins of the word 'faith', we find the word 'Emunah' (Eh-moo-nah). Emunah does mean to have faith, but it carries a broader meaning with implications for what God calls us to be: a people of faith. It includes the idea of steadfastness and persistence.

A great example of this is the woman in the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, who suffered from continuous bleeding. She knew with 100% certainty that just one touch of Jesus' garment would heal her. Her level of faith leaves me breathless and is something I strive for and pray to attain.

Biblical faith rests on the trustworthiness of God to keep His promises. In Lamentations 3:25-26 (NLT), it says, "The LORD is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD." We are also reminded in Psalm 37:5 to "Commit everything to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you." In verse 7, it says, "Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act."

Now is the time for you to step out of sorrow and embrace an Emunah level of faith, the kind I have worked on and continue to work on by speaking with God daily, immersing myself in scripture, and surrounding myself with people who will pray with and for me, helping me navigate life. I've had to make tough choices, walking away from toxic relationships and unhealthy comfort blankets. I've had to be strong and courageous, knowing that God wants joy for me, but I must have faith, be patient, and be hopeful in His timing, not mine.

Ultimately, He made me in His image and likeness, so He knows what I am capable of and able to withstand, as long as I put my trust in Him. In summary, hope can be found in the middle of sorrow by calling on the name of Jesus and lamenting to God. Cry out to Him because He is always there; He will never leave us or forsake us. He will heal the lamentations of our hearts, but we must trust Him and have a level of faith that rests on the trustworthiness of God to keep His promises. His promise is clear.

- He will deliver us from fear.

- He will never leave us.

- He will guide us.

- He will forgive us.

- He will provide everything we need to live godly lives.

Dear Heavenly Father, we lift up our hearts to You, knowing that You are the source of all hope and comfort. In this moment of vulnerability, we surrender our burdens and worries to You. We trust in Your promise that You will carry our heavy loads and ease our sorrows. Strengthen our faith, that we may find comfort in knowing that You are walking beside us every step of the way.

We pray for the strength to move forward with confidence, knowing that You have a plan for our lives—a plan to prosper us and not to harm us, a plan to give us hope and a future.

Thank you, Lord, for Your unfailing love and for being our safe place in times of sorrow. May we find our way out of despair and into the hope that only You can provide.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.