How to Breathe When Hope Hurts

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”

Proverbs 13:12 (ESV)

Sometimes hope burns and scars a weary soul like acid.

I knew God was able, but He wasn’t doing what He was able to do for me.

For every wonderful God praising miracle there are many who don’t see the miracle this side of heaven. And words of hope can scar the hurting soul and turn it bitter.

Those same hopeful words that scar and burn can also strengthen faith. But it takes embracing the burn.

It means when God doesn’t do what we know He is capable of doing and it breaks our hearts and shakes our worlds and snatches our breath, we embrace the words of hope trusting God to do a work we cannot see or understand.

It means laying down our desires, our dreams on the altar of God not knowing if He is going to burn them up or if He is going to provide another way. (Genesis 22:1-19)

It means looking for little bits of light in the darkness – a beautiful sunset, a gentle breeze, an unexpected encounter. (Habakkuk 2:1)

It means leaning into the God who is able, but may never give you what you want, and trusting His way is the best way. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

It means letting God’s Word be the air you breathe and not the smoke-filled lies of the Enemy. (Matthew 4:1-11)

It means battling our own hearts and minds and focusing on what is true and pure and lovely and holy. (Philippians 4:8)

And the battle to breathe is never one fought alone. For “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 (ESV)

Father God thank You for loving us. Life is so hard sometimes. Help us be people who do not allow the difficult inexplicable things of life cause us to grow bitter and hateful. Instead God help us to be watchmen looking for how You are working in these difficult times. Lord when Your words of hope burn and sear help us to lean into the searing that we may be refined to look more like You. Help us to breathe in Your Word and not the lies of the Enemy. Help us to keep our thoughts and eyes focused on You, who suffered that we may live. We pray these things in the name of Jesus, Your Son who suffered so much for sinful people like us. Amen.