10 Jan God’s Hope Heals
Back in my day, there was a popular show on television called Heehaw. Do you remember it? There was a song that lamented the realities of gloom, despair and agonies – that all of us experience. I’m a little embarrassed to say that song gets stuck in my head every now and then.
I know it’s just a fun song, but I do think a lot of us find ourselves singing to the tune of disappointment too often. The truth is that even amidst the festivities of the holidays, our hearts struggle to believe for the best when we feel our worst. Disappointments have a way of discouraging and damaging our hearts.
But we don’t have to stay in that place of discouragement. There’s a difference maker here, and it’s the heart. Proverbs 4:23 tells us that out of our heart rises the issues of our lives. So letting God fix the issues in our hearts will change the condition of our life for the better.
If you’re feeling disappointed today, know this: before God moves us into hope, many times He first has to heal our hearts.
Not long ago, I read about a psychologist who had practiced for 40 years and had gained quite a following. In an interview, someone asked him what the most frustrating part of his profession was. He said that it was having the answers people need, but them refusing them, choosing to stay in their private pain instead of hoping for something better.
Friends, this holiday season, let’s not stay stuck in our private pain. Let’s choose to allow God to heal our hearts so that we can walk in the fullness of His hope! Here’s how we can do that.
First, we have to refuse to accept any hindrances to that hope. That means that we’ve got to let go of how past problems affect our present. As Isaiah 43:19 says, we’ve got to forget about the old things that have happened to us, and focus on the new things God is doing for us. Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase, “We can’t go forward looking in the rear view mirror”. It is so true. That means we have to intentionally remove our focus off our present difficulties.
Lamentations 3:19-22 tells us how. The author says “This I call to mind and therefore I have HOPE: because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail…” Hope is a byproduct of truly trusting God in our heart.
Next, we need to rest in God’s ability. As Hebrews 10:23 says, He who has made great promises to you is faithful, and He will do it. So this holiday season, let’s not get stuck in a rut. Let’s allow God to work our hearts, so that we can see His hopes for us fulfilled!