Hope

I admit it.  I've been pretty hopeless lately.  Between struggling to fix a relationship in my life and juggling all my responsibilities, I've been so tired and trying to hang on tight to God's promise...but it seems like I've lost hope.

Sometimes it seems like we just don't know what to do.  In my case, I've been making tons of new friends lately, but the one relationship that probably meant the most to me at one time seems to be slipping out of my hands.  The worst part is, I don't even know what to do to stop it.

So, yes, I've been hurting lately.  But, I'm finding (as I've often found out before) that these are the experiences that draw us even closer to God.  He drew me close to His side when I was going through the depression, the hurt, and the seemingly endless nights of loneliness, and He'd drawing me even closer now.

I don't know if you've heard the song, but Chris August has one called "The Upside of Down".  It's incredible, and really speaks the truth.  If you're a believer, then it doesn't matter what you go through-there is always an upside to your downside.  For me, God has begun to restore hope and open up opportunities and dreams that I had given up years ago.  He's showing me who I was meant to be-not just someone lost in this world, hurting, but a testimony of His life and His love to those who are hurting.

Lately, I've been having what I call 'healing moments with Jesus'.  Usually it's just tears streaming down my face, almost barely able to speak, as He softly whispers words of hope.  These are probably the most incredible moments I've ever experienced in my life.  They've shown me something too...that my situation really doesn't dictate how happy I am.  For instance, despite the fact that I came into church last night worried about all these different things and feeling like my heart was going to break right in my chest, there was a feeling of elation just being able to worship God in His house.  That was enough to make me leap for joy and my heart to sing.

So, have you ever experienced these feelings?  Have you ever felt hopeless, lost, or completely and utterly broken?  If you have, there is a Healer for your hurts.  He can supply all the hope, the joy, the peace, and whatever else you seem to have lost in your trial, and also give you abundantly more than what you had before.  Don't ever give up on your journey, but let Him carry you through your weakest moments.  Cast all your troubles and your burdens on Him, so He can make your heart light.

You're halfway there...

Put Your Trust in Him,

Hannah Elizabeth

P.S. I'm composing a list of songs that always encourage when I'm down.  I'll share them in my next post.  :)