HOPE IN WAITING

By Priya Ramsaran

“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”—Romans 8:24-25 (NIV)

Have you ever felt like you had no control over a situation and fear began to engulf you? A year ago, my dad was rushed to the hospital in a comatose state. I knew it was bad when my mom said those dreaded words, “He’s not doing well.” My emotions started to rage and my prayer was, “Lord please save him!” 

The moment our lives are met with crisis, disappointment, or loss, it becomes evident we need hope—just like what we’re facing now in the middle of this pandemic. We need hope to carry on and make it through whatever we’re facing. It’s easy to lose hope because of our surroundings or the dreaded outcome. We don't need hope when things are good, but rather when things are hard and uncertain.

I love how Paul first tells us that in this hope we were saved. Our eternity becomes secure when we place our trust in Jesus, which is the greatest hope and outcome. That security gives us confidence to face any situation, even when anxiety, loneliness, or discouragement set in. This is the foundation of our faith. 

Almost every morning my two-year-old goes outside in our front yard and takes rocks from our landscaping. She stacks them into beautiful little towers. We leave them there, and they become a reminder of her presence and handiwork. Similarly, we need stacks of hope in our lives so we can look back at our stories of hope, when our great God showed up, and share these beautiful moments of hope with others. It encourages others to see God's hand in our lives, and it builds great towers of faith. 

But what about those unresolved things in our lives that still don't have an answer or an ending? How do we wait and for how long? This is the patience part of the verse that has to come into practice. Patience is the capacity to accept, tolerate, and delay trouble or suffering without getting angry or upset. It takes practice and repetition to work it out. Patience is not passive. We have to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and surround ourselves in His Word where we’ll find His promises of hope so we can trust Him with the process, regardless of time.

For months, I visited my dad in the hospital. I had to release control and exercise great patience. When he finally came home, I realized that hope takes great faith, patience, and perseverance. 

Maybe you’re in need of hope. Do not grow weary in the waiting. Instead, look to the God of hope and surrender the outcome to Him. He will work all things out for good—in His time and in His perfect way.

Pause and Reflect: Take time to reflect and share moments of hope you’ve experienced in your life.

Practice: Is there a situation that requires hope in your life? How can you practice patience in the waiting? Write out some verses that will encourage you to stand and remain strong.

Pray: Ask the Lord for patience and His strength in the waiting.