Hope for Tomorrow

Life is full of ups and downs. Life is hard. Life is quite the adventure. Through it all we learn and grow and change. We form new opinions and develop new interests. We try new things and move on from others. We make mistakes and overcome obstacles. So much can happen within such short amounts of time, and our lives can change so drastically within even just a day.

I have had quite a few ups and downs myself just this year, and we’re not even quite halfway through it yet. Just this morning I had a different idea of what the next few weeks of my life would look like than the direction it’s going now. In these times of the unexpected, I tend to feel down on myself and don’t feel very optimistic about the future. I’m sure a lot of you feel the same way when things happen such as a job coming to an end, moving away, or losing a relationship. We tend to ask things like, “What’s next?” “What am I supposed to do now?” “Why did that have to happen to me?” These are natural responses to changed circumstances. Thankfully, I’ve learned that things will start to happen again. The future may seem dull at the moment, but it won’t always look that way.

Some of the best things we can do when going through these waiting periods in life is to pray, practice patience, and trust in God’s timing. I know it can feel so discouraging to be lonely, unemployed, or even without a home of your own, but there is still so much to be thankful for, and we can look to the Lord for hope.

I want to share a few encouraging Bible verses with you before we go! Here they are:

“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Romans 5:3-5

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

Hebrews 11:8

We can’t control much in life, but what we can control is our attitude. We can either wallow in self-pity, or we can do our best to make the most of our circumstances. I can’t imagine how I would get through the hard times of life without the Lord and His Word. And it’s such a comfort to me to know that He is the One who’s in control.