There are always brighter days ahead. Whether you are in a trying time or on top of the world, when we give God our best, there is always something to anticipate!
A Thrill of Hope
I love that phrase, “a thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices”. The world is so crazy right now. Terrible things are celebrated and encouraged. It is almost unreal.
Yet because we have God, we have reason to hope! He always makes a way for His people. He isn’t surprised and is working all things together for our good. Like the Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31, we can laugh without fear of the future. When we look with our human eyes, we can feel overwhelmed and discouraged, but when we trust God with our future, when we recall that He has plans to prosper and not harm us, we can put our shoulders back and walk with confidence.
There is no new evil under the sun. I’m sure the days of our grandparents and ancestors were hard in their own ways. I’m sure it wasn’t a picnic sailing to America to establish a new country. World War I and the Great Depression must have been so incredibly difficult. Trials certainly aren’t new.
Can I breathe a little hope into you?! You are made specifically for such a time as this! You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. Claim that strength, tap into your potential, and step into this role that was designed for none other!
God’s Timing
You may be waiting and hoping for something. Perhaps you are working for your diploma, certification in a special subject, or licensing for work. When we give our best to God, we will always be setting a higher bar, working for the next thing, stretching to be the best we can be.
Trust God’s timing that He’s working on things behind the scenes. Press on where you can and be at peace where you are. Some think of contentment as complacency, but that’s not the case at all. I believe true contentment is a combination of grace, trust, and anticipation. You practice grace as you trust God’s timing and plan, but at the same time you anticipate where this is leading!
Waiting Well
I’m getting a different understanding of waiting. I used to consider waiting as just that, waiting. Graceful patience as one waited for things to fall into place. No pressure, no action required. But more recently I’ve realized a new dimension to it.
We are all familiar with Isaiah 40:31 –
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
I can’t help but notice that waiting is only for a moment. We wait and then gain new strength to press on! And not just hobble or inch along, but rather run without getting tired, walk without becoming weary! It’s not as if the waiting is magically over, but rather we are encouraged to find ways to work towards the prize! Not idly sit on the sidelines hoping for what’s ahead.
After all, faith without works is dead! Get up, pray up and press on! There are most certainly brighter days ahead!
Until Next Time!
Hope.
PS. Keep reading: https://www.theamericanlady.com/2020/02/19/green-pastures-ahead/