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Our Source of Hope When Life Hurts: Guest Post by Grace Fox

Jennifer Slattery

John Piper quote on grief.

Guest Post: 

God—Our Source of Hope When Life Hurts
by Grace Fox

I knew something was seriously wrong the moment I answered my phone. My sister-in-law choked back tears as she told me that a doctor had just diagnosed my 88-year-old mother with a life-threatening condition. “She has twenty minutes to talk with each of her kids and to decide whether or not to have surgery,” she said. Twenty minutes to choose between life or death. The clock was ticking.

When I woke early that morning, I had no reason to suspect that crisis would strike my family before noon. I would never have guessed that within hours I’d leave home to sit vigil at Mom’s bedside until she took her last breath on earth a week later.

Life is anything but predictable. When 2020 dawned, who could have guessed that a mystery virus was about to strike and bring disappointment, loss, and division? Who could have guessed that a pandemic would force us into isolation, upend our plans, throw us into turmoil, and leave us longing for hope?

Life changes in a nanosecond, and it deals blows we don’t expect. How easily those blows can push us into a place of despair unless we stand firm on the truth found in God’s Word. Scripture has given me consolation day after day as I’ve grieved for my mom and for the Romans 15:13 on multi-colored backgroundlosses suffered by so many around the world. Romans 15:13 has proven especially meaningful: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Hope is mentioned not once, but twice in this verse. One Bible dictionary defines it as “trustful expectation, particularly with reference to the fulfillment of God’s promises. Biblical hope is the anticipation of a favorable outcome under God’s guidance.” This contrasts to a dictionary definition of hope as “a feeling that what we want to happen will happen.”

The first mention of hope in today’s verse refers to God as its origin. We anticipate a favorable outcome not based on circumstances but on His person. In this life, we will face disappointments or life-altering detours. We will experience the death of a dream or the loss of a loved one. But no matter how difficult our circumstances, we can have hope because of who God is—powerful, wise, sovereign, and good. He’s our guide, our comforter, our rock that remains steadfast when everything around us crumbles. He’s our constant companion who has promised never to leave us—not even for a moment.

The second mention of hope refers to us as the recipients. God pours hope into us when we choose to believe that He is who He says He is and that He always keeps His promises. When we do this, He gifts us not with a flimsy optimism that everything will somehow work out okay but with a rock-solid anticipation of a favorable outcome under His guidance. And because we live among humanity desperately seeking hope, He wants our supply to spill over and splash those around us, creating in them a curiosity to know our secret. We can’t concoct this hope in our own strength; He makes it possible by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Imagine—this is the same power that raised Christ from the dead! (Romans 8:11; Ephesians 1:19,20)

The more I meditate on Romans 15:13, the more God heals my hurting heart. He wants to do the same for you, my friend. We can hang onto hope knowing that someday Jesus will return and set everything right. Someday He will wipe every tear from our eyes. (Revelation 21:4) In the meantime, we can live in hope because the Source of hope lives in us.

May I pray for you today? “Dear God, we acknowledge You as the reason for hope. When life hurts, help us keep our thoughts fixed on the truth about who You are. Remind us that You live in us by the power of Your Holy Spirit. And fill us to overflowing with a hope that reflects You to those around us. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Get to Know Grace Fox

Grace Fox's Author photoGrace Fox is a career global worker and the author of ten books including her new devotional Finding Hope in Crisis: Devotions for Calm in Chaos. She’s a member of the “First 5” Bible study writing team for Proverbs 31 Ministries and a regular contributor to Guideposts’ annual devotional, Mornings With Jesus. 

As a career global worker, Grace and her husband Gene co-direct International Messengers Canada, a sending agency with career missionaries in 28 countries. She leads short-term mission teams to Eastern Europe annually, trains nationals for career ministry in the Middle East, and provides missionary care.

Grace lives aboard a sailboat in Vancouver, British Columbia. Married in 1982, she and Gene celebrate three grown kids and nine grandchildren.

Connect with Grace on her website, on Facebook, and subscribe to her blog.

Cover image for Finding Hope in CrisisCheck out her latest release, Finding Hope in Crisis: Devotions for Calm in Chaos:

Life changes in a nanosecond, and circumstances can shift our minds into overload. That’s when we desperately need the encouragement God’s Word brings, but we can scarcely remember what day it is let alone focus on a lengthy Scripture passage. Finding Hope in Crisis: Devotions for Calm in Chaos provides the daily nugget we need to find strength and peace in God. Ninety meditations focus our thoughts on the truth of who He is and what He longs to do in and through us and our hard places.

Buy it HERE.

Before you go, make sure to check out Wholly Loved’s resources on joy:

The Unshakable Unbreakable Joy Bible Study:

Joy. We all want it, and in Christ, we can all have it. Regardless of our circumstances, our Joy Bible study cover imageblessings or challenges, we can have unshakable unbreakable joy in Christ. And this joy begins by understanding what true biblical joy is, where it comes from, and how we can best cultivate this precious spiritual gift.

We can experience unshakable, unbreakable joy no matter the situation because true biblical joy isn’t dependent on our circumstances. Joy is a gift God gives us come to know Him better and deepen our intimacy with Him. This study helps women experience the abiding joy of an ever-deepening relationship with Christ and reliance on His grace.
A ten-week study with:
• Weekly video sessions
• Group discussion questions
• Take-home lessons

Find it HERE.

And the Wholly Loved Joy in Chaos Bible reading plan.

Joy in Chaos Bible reading plan logoGod did not create us to live empty, discouraged, fearful, and defeated lives. He created us for joy. A joy greater than our most challenging and chaotic circumstances. Edited by Karen Greer, Rachel Vaughn, and LaShawn Montoya. Voice talent by Linda Goldfarb.

Find it on the YouVersion app HERE.

Jennifer Slattery is a writer and speaker who hosts the Faith Over Fear podcast. She’s addressed women’s groups, Bible studies, and writers across the nation. She’s the author of Building a Family and numerous other titles and maintains a devotional blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com.

As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, she’s passionate about helping women experience Christ’s freedom in all areas of their lives. Visit her online to learn more about her speaking or to book her for your next women’s event  and sign up for her free quarterly newsletter HERE  and make sure to connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.