How to COPE when I feel no HOPE?

Hope is not an escape from reality or life's problems. Instead, it is a motivator. Hope is not a feeling, but, for followers of Jesus, it is a fact. People everywhere reading this right now are struggling with incredible situations. Life isn't easy. Sometimes it is amazingly difficult. God is still good.

When you are truly going through excruciating circumstances, that last sentence can inspire you to feel bitter towards God. Maybe you feel bitter right now. Do you?

I don't know what you are going through, but it must be hard. According to scripture, God is a good Father who hurts when you hurt. He does not enjoy seeing you suffer. He cares, loves, and is present with you, even if you can't feel Him. You might say, "But, WHY WON'T HE FIX MY SITUATION?" Think about this question, "Why don't we trust Him?" Honestly, I don't have a good answer for you outlining why He hasn't healed you, helped you, and done everything that you wanted, other than He is God and He might know better than you.

This has been a difficult journey and a hard thought to remember during some of my medical complications. Because I love you, I won't lie and tell you that this is easy. We serve God in the good times right? Why don't we serve Him in the bad times too?

{HOPE}

Hope can be our motivation. If you believe Jesus as the Son of God and have turned from your sins to follow Jesus, then the worst case scenario is that you die and go to paradise. If you don't know Jesus in this way, death is obviously not the worst case scenario for you. This earth is the closest to hell that fully devoted followers of Jesus will experience. This earth is the closest to heaven that people who do not know Jesus will experience. Am I judging you? No. I don't even know who is reading this. However, I do boldly ask you to see what a relationship with the most powerful person to ever walk this planet is like. Not religion, not happy thoughts, not money, not going to church (although it has helped me know Jesus better), not anything, but Jesus has changed my life.

Romans 15:13 Now may the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.