Category: Crisis

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God is THE Promise Keeper: Hope Series #26

My dad died unexpectedly on January 26. I’m missing him. He was 90 and could no longer read, or drive, or teach Sunday school, since his stroke last Christmas Eve. But Dad was back to playing pickle ball three times a week, and lifting weights for two. His sense of humor was quick and sharp, and our times together were sweet. But it ended rather quickly.

My husband was just recovering from a double hernia surgery. A week into his healing my mom was rushed to the hospital and had her own emergency surgery. So, my sisters and I were taking turns staying with Dad. I brought Mom home from the hospital on Tuesday. On Thursday Dad and I had just walked over to play pickle ball when he sat on the stairs in terrible pain. I didn’t know what to do! We called an ambulance which came and took him to the ER. There they discovered he had an inoperable tear in his aorta, originating at his heart.

God gave us time to gather and say goodbye as Dad slowly slipped away. It was heart wrenching, but glorious too. Pain, of course, is awful, and it’s agonizing to watch the transition from life to death. But with the assurance he could still hear us, we talked to Dad and each other, prayed, and sang about our life in Jesus, until God took him home.

What does this have to do with God’s promises? A LOT. One definition of hope is “the absolute expectation of coming good.” And I am absolutely positive there is a lot of good coming in heaven! I’m looking forward to seeing my dad again , as well as other loved ones who have already died. And I have hope for good in this life too, as God works out all the details of every challenge I face here and now.

There is only One whose promises are completely trustworthy—the Lord God Almighty. No one can hinder Him, nor can circumstances thwart His plans. God is faithful; we can trust Him. The past gives proof for our coming hope.

God watches over the death of the saints (His followers) with tender compassion. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants” (Psa. 116:15).

He promises an inheritance of good for generation after generation of those who choose to follow Him. “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments” (Deut. 7:9).

He will protect us from Satan’s attempts to tempt and discourage us. “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thess. 3:3).

He promises to be our strength when we are weak (which is every day!) and be with us on the journey. “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” (1 Thess. 5:24).

Best of all, Jesus promised that death is not the end. When a believer dies, they simply moves to their forever home with Jesus, who said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25-26).

Have people broken their promises to you? Even those you thought were Christians? People will let us down—they get sick, change their minds, or things happen beyond their control. But look what Jesus said about life and death and eternity in the Bible. Read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and see how Jesus kept His word to His followers, and what He predicted about the life to come. You can be sure that Jesus will never break His promises.

He is our faithful God. I hope you enjoy this song by the same title.

“Faithful God’, We Are They

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Hope in the Dark: Hope Series #25

These are the darkest months of the year and many are floundering emotionally. Including me. I already struggle with seasonal darkness and occasional depression, but right now I’m going through what many believers call a dark night of the soul. We’ve been praying more than two years for my daughter’s healing and it feels like God’s not there.

In December 2021, she contracted covid, which developed into pneumonia. And she’s never been the same.

My daughter has gone from being a physically fit mother of three in her 30’s, to a person who spends most of her time in bed, in constant pain. And no one can find a solution. She’s been to every kind of doctor and tried treatments and supplements. There have been a few tentative diagnoses, like long covid, toxic mold, and POTS, but no relief from the symptoms. In the meantime, she’s in constant pain, exhausted by the least exertion, her heart beats too fast (even when laying down), she struggles for breath, and cognitive issues make it difficult for her to form and express thoughts.

My baby is in pain and I can’t fix it. I have to trust her to God—praying that she and her husband’s hope will not die. That their faith will remain strong, even in the dark. And that their children will see and learn a deep trust in God, even when, as yet, there is no relief from the pain and mounting medical bills.

Maybe you’re there too. You or your loved one are in a dark night and wonder how much longer you, or they, can hold on.

It’s helped me to read biographies of Christians who’ve either been healed, or received a more perfect answer from God. I’ve read about Catherine Marshall, Amy Carmichael, C.S. Lewis, and Joni Eareckson Tada, and I am humbled by their stories. They’re honest about how they ricocheted back and forth between quiet faith and railing at God in despair. Some great movies based on people’s lives also encourage me—“Miracles of God,” “Heaven is for Real,” “I Can Only Imagine,” “I Still Believe.” Especially when not every ending is tied up in a pink bow, and yet are full of hope.

So why does God allow good people to suffer? Why is my daughter, who was steeped in ministry, now confined to bed in excruciating pain? Why are you, or the one you love suffering without relief? The book of Job from the Bible helps a lot. Job was given insight into a world beyond ours—the spiritual realm—where there is a constant battle going on for the souls of men. There we learn that God allows Satan to cause us pain and suffering sometimes, in order to prove and strengthen our faith. But God will never let Satan go too far. It’s up to us to trust God knows what He’s doing, even when we cannot see behind the curtain.

God’s Word gives me hope to keep believing, because I know He’s the only One who can make things better.

The prospect of the righteous is joy,
    but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

Prov. 10:28

In this world, both believers and unbelievers suffer, but only those who trust in Jesus have the promise of heaven, where there will be no more tears or pain, or separation from God.

Hope deferred [delayed, overdue] makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Prov. 13:12, brackets mine

Maybe you feel like it’s long past time for God to answer your prayers. His lack of response makes you wonder whether He really is a loving God.

You’re not alone. For centuries other Christians have wondered this too. But have realized that even when the pain seemed unbearable, God was in the dark with them. There is no hope anywhere else but in Him. Jeremy Camp has learned this in his own experiences and expresses it well in his song “Out of My Hands.”

Please contact me if you would like me to pray for you. And leave a comment if you have a praise story that would encourage others.

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Waiting With Every Fiber of My Being: Hope Series #22

Not long ago, a group of us were talking about how difficult it is to wait—especially in traffic. It’s annoying when some guy in front of you goes 20 mph under the speed limit, and there’s no passing lane for miles! But I learned a fun trick from my sister. Instead of saying snarky things to other drivers (even while alone in the car), God challenged her to sing about it. Sometimes she makes up a blessing song for the other drivers, and other times she just sings out her frustration, like:

Why are you going so slow, so SLOW?

I wish to heaven you’d go, you’d GO!

I hope real soon you’ll get out of my way;

And as I go by I’ll wish you a nice day.

So long; so long…

And so forth. You get the idea. She says it makes her laugh at herself and relieves the tension. I’ve tried it, and it really works! And before I know it, they turn off or I’m calm enough to relax and enjoy the journey.

But what do we do when we’re waiting on God for an answer we really need? Financial help, healing, direction. We need an answer. Preferably now! Those are tense times which no made-up song can dispel. We need the One who moves mountains to move one for us.

We know from scripture that God will answer us in one of three ways:

Yes

No, I have something better

or Not Yet.

The person who wrote the following psalm did not diversify his prayer investment. He put all his eggs in one basket; all his money in one bank; all his bets on one horse. And he waited with anticipation and expectancy. He waited with hope!

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning,

more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Ps. 130:5-6, emphasis mine

A night watchman knows the sun will come up eventually, and his shift will end. He watches the darkness fade and finally the sunrise appears when the world comes to life. Relief! He knows someone will come to take his post and he can go home to rest.

That was how this God-follower hoped in God. Every fiber of his being was focused on God, and nothing else. But notice, he didn’t just sit and do nothing while he waited. He continued doing what he knew to do—he stayed alert; he watched over those under his care; and he kept trusting help would come.

Here are two more verses about waiting that prompt me to do the same:

Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws,
    we wait for you;
your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.
My soul yearns for you in the night;
    in the morning my spirit longs for you.

Isa. 26:8-9

While walking…we wait. We don’t sit down with our head in our hands and wait for the answer to fall in our lap. We keep moving. We take the next step, and the next. We do what we know is right until God’s answer comes. We keep looking to Him, yearning for God’s presence and His will. And we press on in hope.

I love this song by Lincoln Brewster, “While I Wait.” The music and lyrics are filled with the hope we need, while we wait for God to bring the answers we seek.

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Too Young to Die

I had planned to post a different article today for my Hope Series, but right now, I just need to talk.

This morning I learned that searchers found the body of our twenty-one-year-old friend, who’s been missing for three weeks, floating in the Bay. We’ve prayed diligently every day for his safe return, since he left home. I know his mom and brother have been going out of their minds with worry and fear.

This is exactly why I began the series in the first place. Hopelessness and despair has a grip on people young and old. We have lost our anchor.

Life is hard. We all have days when we wonder how we’ll ever recover from the blow that has taken us down. But when we turn to God, we recover. I don’t know how it’s possible sometimes, but we do. It doesn’t happen quickly, and it’s not always pretty along the way, but we do recover. We even smile and laugh and love again, when we thought we never would.

We rise from the ashes of war, abuse, divorce, addiction, bankruptcy, and incarceration. With Christ. He is the anchor that holds us steady through the storm and keeps us from drifting into despair. In this world of grief and suffering He is our only Hope.

I’m a bit of a mess myself today. I’m sad, and so very angry. He died too young! I keep picturing this young man as he was when I saw him last–vibrant, in love with Jesus, curious, and mischievous. I pray he reached for Jesus in his last moments, who I am confident was there, reaching out to him.

I want the anguish to stop! For people to turn to God, and let Him heal their wounds and guide them through the messes and heartaches of life like only He can.

My soul is in deep anguish.
    How long, Lord, how long?

Turn, Lord, and deliver me;
    save me because of your unfailing love.

 I am worn out from my groaning.

All night long I flood my bed with weeping
    and drench my couch with tears.

 The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;
    the Lord accepts my prayer.

Psalm 6:3-4, 6, 9

God hears our cries and He cares about our pain. If you have been thinking about ending your own life please, please understand that this is not the answer. And your death will leave so much heartache for those left without you. Reach out for Jesus instead. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know what to say. He knows your heart. I He will help you through.

Do not choose death. Choose life with Jesus. Let Him ease your suffering and bring you joy.

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The Exhaustion of Sorrow: Hope Series #18

There were times during my separation and divorce, and for years afterward, when I could barely function. It came unexpectedly, like a flood (more of a tsunami really). I was in shock, devastated, destroyed. For months I couldn’t sleep more than 2-3 hours a night. I went from being a stay-at-home-writer-homeschooler-mom, to a career woman with two high schoolers, whose lives were also turned upside down by the breakup. I was so exhausted. Most days I functioned on coffee power and a desperate hold on Jesus.

How I wished I could escape the pain and go lay in the sun on a beach somewhere until my brain rebooted, and I felt human again! But that was not God’s plan for me. Instead, He held me while I cried seemingly endless tears, and wrestled in pain and anger. He gave me scriptures like tiny morsels of food for my starving soul. And He heightened my senses, so that even on my worst days colors, scents, textures, and sounds ministered comfort like never before. They gave me reasons to praise Him.

During that time, God was my only rest; my only hope. Through an act of my will, I clung to Jesus in hope, and He did not disappoint me. He was everything this psalm says, and more:

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge” (Ps. 62:5-7).

The author of this psalm suggests: “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Ps. 62:8). I wholeheartedly agree! God is our life and breath. He knows what we need, and has the power to supply it.

In Jesus’ own words, He calls us: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matt. 11:28-30, Message).

That sounds like the kind of rest we need. And hope for better days ahead.

If you are grieving over the loss of your marriage, or have a friend struggling through divorce, I recommend my book, When Prince Charming Decides the Shoe No Longer Fits: God’s Healing After Divorce. We all need a friend to walk through the pain with us and help us find strength in God.

To view or order my book on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/When-Prince-Charming-Decides-Longer/dp/B09JJ9C5Q1/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3IVZTAG6V63WY&keywords=Beth+vice+books&qid=1692400326&sprefix=beth+vice+books%2Caps%2C220&sr=8-5

Citizen Way’s song “I Will” puts words to our deep need for reassurance in times when we’re so tired we can barely lift our head. Let their music and the beautiful scenes in this music video refresh you now.

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When Hope Seems Far Away: Hope Series #15

My heart is aching today for those I love who are in deep distress. I feel helpless. I cannot heal their bodies, change their past, protect them against unfair accusations, or make others treasure them as they should. I can’t do these things for myself, much less for anyone else. These days my prayers feel like clouds around me, hanging, murky and thick.

So I’ve been turning more and more to scripture, to songs that give hope and declare truth. I turn to the One who CAN and does heal, change, protect, and treasure. Our good and loving God, sees what we cannot see. He lives in me, walks with me, and when I cannot form the words, His Spirit prays on my behalf with passionate groans I cannot begin to comprehend.

He understands our pain. He knows and He cares.

When David was in this place of desperate pain, he wrote out his prayers in the psalms. They have been such a comfort to me lately. Have you ever noticed this phrase repeats three times in Psalms 42 and 43? “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5, 11; 43:5).

Songs or poems with repeating phrases have a way of getting our attention. And the message imbeds in our soul. This is powerful self-talk. What an example for us to follow!

“Why am I so upset? Have I lost all hope? Don’t I know God will get me through this?” I needed to hear and repeat David’s words to myself. It’s going to be ok, Beth. God’s in control.

The bad news is, our enemy, Satan, knows how to use repetition as well. You’ve probably noticed when you’re worried, you tend to repeat the same negative thoughts over and over, digging yourself deeper into a pit of anguish. In order to get out, we need to change our pattern of thinking. Instead of the automatic “Why me?” “Why now?” “Where are you, God?” questions, we can choose to quote scripture to the enemy.

In fact, Psalm 42 is so rich with treasures, I want to walk through it with you and weave in prayers of response. There IS hope for you, for me, and for all those we’re praying for.

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”

Lord, I’m desperate for You. I feel so alone. You’re the only One who can fill me up.


“My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’”

They may not have actually said this, but it feels like that’s what they’re thinking, God. I wonder if others are questioning my faith. If I’m such a true believer why are these things happening to me? Why am I so depressed? Why can’t I pull out of this? Are You really there?


“These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.”

I used to love to go to church and celebrate with other believers. I loved the singing, the preaching, and the great discussions about Your Word. I felt protected and joyful. But to be honest, it hurts now. I feel alone in the crowd. Unnoticed. Separate.

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.”

Here is that first repeated phrase. I’ve highlighted two key words—yet and therefore.

Lord, the circumstances of life have cast me down and I can’t seem to get up again. But it occurs to me that I don’t have to give in to this despair; You are my hope. I will yet praise you—now, by a determination of my will, but also later, when this darkness lifts. Because I am confident in who You are, I will praise You from the mountaintops.


“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.”

Lord, some think this sounds like drowning, but I picture myself under the waterfall of Your outpouring love for me. The waters echo in the caverns behind the falls, magnifying the sound. It reverberates in my ears. I am surrounded. I can feel the booming thunder and hear the splash of water all around me. I choose to place myself in this fountain and be drenched by the flood of Your Spirit.

“By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life.”

O Lord, let me rest in the music of Your love. Wake me with melodies of hope and praise. I will make them my prayers.

“I say to God my Rock, ‘Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?’My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’”

O Jesus, there it is again—the isolation, abandonment, mockery—creeping in. Why won’t these thoughts go away?

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

I turn away from those dark thoughts, Jesus. You’ve always taken care of me, and You won’t leave me now. I put my hope in You. I will YET praise You. You have saved me from the chains of sin and shame. You are the only One worthy of praise. I determine now to give these fears and misery, all of them, to You. As many times as it takes, I will come and give You my anxious heart. Thank You, Lord, for listening, and caring for me. In Jesus name, Amen.  

The following song by Brandon Lake is moving and personal. Set aside the next nine minutes to just worship God. Go for a walk, sit in your car, get on your face, dance, weep, clap. Focus on each word, each note. Lose yourself in “Gratitude” and praise the God who loves you beyond measure.

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An Inheritance You Can Bank On: Hope Series #13

I know people whose families have been ripped apart after their parents or grandparents died and those remaining argued and grabbed for what their loved ones left behind. Relationships were permanently severed, leaving bitter resentment between family members. This is not the legacy we want to leave for our children. Or for anyone.

Sadly, even when we try to be fair and do the right thing, we live in a world riddled with favoritism and inequality. We cry out to God for justice!

King David struggled with these offenses just as we do. People did wrong and got away with it, even prospered, while the good guys floundered and suffered loss. He wrote Psalm 37 when he was older, after experiencing more of life. He wanted to reassure his son Solomon (who was to be the next king), and his people, that the good guy really does win in the end. This is something we all need to hear again and again!

The word “fret” literally means “to burn up emotionally,” and is used four times in the NIV translation of the Bible. Three of those instances are found in Psalm 37 (verses 1, 7, and 8). The fourth mention is in Proverbs 24:19, likely written by Solomon, based on wisdom he learned from his father.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land…Hope in the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it (Psalm 37:8-9,34, emphasis mine).

We don’t have to worry and stew when we witness or are hammered by injustice. God will make it right. “Evil will be destroyed…those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land…He will exalt His followers…and if you stay true to God, you will see justice.” David and Solomon are now experiencing the perfection of heaven in Jesus’ presence. And soon, He will take home the rest of His children and judge those who do evil. This is our inheritance, as children of righteousness, if we do not give up our hope in Him.

Whatever happens in this life, “He is our “Provider.” Song by Cade Thompson

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Who Can You Count On? Hope Series #11

There is so much need all around me today:

  • a family worried sick about their suicidal teen
  • my beloved one in relentless pain
  • those I care about living in dangerous areas of the world
  • dear ladies abandoned by those who vowed to love them forever
  • ministers waiting for the means to do God’s work

Add to that my own problems and concerns. I am overwhelmed; so aware of my insufficiencies. I cannot fix any of it! I don’t have the financial resources, I have no power to heal, I’m not smart enough to figure out the answers. I am small and limited. And that frustrates me!

But God reminded me I’m not supposed to fix everyone else’s problems. I’ve tried that before, and learned about the dangers of codependency. He doesn’t expect us to fix every problem we encounter. We do what we are able to— pray, give, encourage, prepare meals, hug, cry with those who are hurting, and pray again. But God is the only One who can do it all. He has the wisdom, power, resources, and perfect love for every need.

My life verse keeps me centered: David was in an impossible situation—hunted by Jonathan’s father King Saul, who was intent on murdering him so David couldn’t replace him as king. So, David ran to the desert. “And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God” (1 Sam. 23:16).

I’m sure Jonathan took food and provisions for David and his men. He confirmed his friendship with him and reassured David he would indeed be king someday (even though that meant he would not be the next king). And he prayed with him. But Jonathan did not go to war against his father or stay in the desert with his friend until all David’s problems were resolved. He pointed him to the only One who could meet all his needs and went back to living his own life.

You and I cannot be The Answer for anyone else. And we will be desperately disappointed if we expect anyone other than God to solve our problems.

“No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you” (Psalm 33:16-22).

Armies are only as strong as the men and weapons they contain. Horses go lame and can get shot from under you. Both men and animals get sick, and are subject to fear and bad weather.

The psalm nails it. Only God is untouched by all these things. He is the only One worthy of our hope.

  • He watches over those who worship Him
  • He is merciful
  • He will keep His followers alive until it’s our time to go to be with Him
  • He is our help
  • His is our Shield and Protector
  • He is holy, righteous, perfect, divine

We need hope—for ourselves and for those we love. For our broken world. For those who do not know the love of Christ. God knows this and will answer our cries. Let us lift up our hands to Him in faith and praise. This song, “God Really Loves Us” by the Crowder band and Dante Bowe, fills my soul with wonder and peace. Thank you, Lord!

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Waiting on the Next Tide: Hope Series #7

Twice, in tremendous agony over lost love, I’ve been tempted to take my own life. On both occasions God stopped me before I acted on those feelings.

The first time, I had a knife to my wrist, when the whisper of God stopped me. Death was not the answer. He would heal my hurt.

The second, I was driving along a country road, sobbing helplessly. I noticed a tree at a curve in the road and contemplated speeding up to hit it full force. Again, the Spirit stopped me, reminding me I had two girls to raise. Plus, what would it say about my proclaimed faith in God if I gave up now? Jesus would hold me through the heart-shredding pain. Even when the thought returned on other trips past that tree, God kept me on the road and gave me the will to live.

Years later, I could relate to the despair portrayed in the movie “Castaway.” Tom Hanks plays a FedEx executive shipwrecked on an island for four years, kept alive only by his wife, Kelly’s, picture and his determination to get back to her. When his will to survive wears thin, he attempts to commit suicide, but even that fails. When he finally makes it back home, we anticipate a happy ending, but he finds out his wife, thinking him dead, has remarried. How can a guy survive so much loss?

His friend asks how he resisted the temptation to kill himself on the island, and how he will recover from this new devastating blow. He says:

“I was gonna die there, totally alone. I was gonna get sick, or get injured or something. The only choice I had, the only thing I could control was when, and how, and where it was going to happen. So… I made a rope and I went up to the summit, to hang myself. I had to test it, you know? Of course. You know me. And the weight of the log, snapped the limb of the tree, so, I couldn’t even kill myself the way I wanted to. I had power over NOTHING. And that’s when…I knew, somehow, that I had to stay alive. Somehow. I had to keep breathing. Even though there was no reason to hope…So that’s what I did. I stayed alive. I kept breathing. And one day…the tide came in, and gave me a sail. And now, here I am. I’m back. In Memphis, talking to you. I have ice in my glass… And I’ve lost her all over again. I’m so sad that I don’t have Kelly. But I’m so grateful that she was with me on that island. And I know what I have to do now. I gotta keep breathing. Because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?”

When we put our trust in God, this is even more true. We never know what is just around the bend, or coming on the next tide. We don’t know what He has planned for us. That is what happened for me. I’m so glad God never let me go, even when my faith was weak. He gave me hope for a better tomorrow. And now I have a life full of love and purpose.

James 4:14 says we don’t know what will happen tomorrow. We cannot boastfully plan to get rich, travel the world, and enjoy perfect health. But neither can we predict doom and gloom for the rest of our lives. So, wait for the next wave and see what comes. God might bring just what you need to get off your island of despair. Ask Him what to do where you are right now. And hold on.

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Ps. 27:13-14)

Nichole Nordeman’s song, “Hold On” was such a comfort to me in my darkest days after a divorce that threatened to destroy me. I hope it helps you too.

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Do You Feel Forgotten? Hope Series #6

Did your parents ever forget to pick you up from school, or after sports or music practice?

Did they ever drive off and leave you behind, even for a minute, thinking you were already in the car?

Have you ever extended an invitation for dinner or planned to meet with someone who never showed up?

Being forgotten is awful! Yet we all experience it in big and small ways almost every day. The truth is, if we depend on people we will be forgotten–our hopes and even our needs left unmet.

However, sometimes we perceive (think or feel like) we’ve been forgotten, when in reality, we have not.

God never forgets us.

“God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish” (Psalm 9:18). Did you catch that? Never. God never forgets where we are or what we need, even if it feels like it. Our feelings come and go, but God’s Word is constant and reliable.

I love the story of Hagar in Genesis 16 (a good read!). God had promised a son to Abraham and Sarah—yea for them! But they were getting old, and so they tried to make it happen through their own efforts—never a good idea. The result was a baby born to Sarah’s maid Hagar, who ended up getting mistreated by God’s own people—ouch! So she ran away. But God had not forgotten her; He saw her pain and came to talk to her personally.

“The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert…And he said, ‘Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?’

‘I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,’ she answered.

Then the angel of the Lord told her, ‘Go back to your mistress and submit to her.’ The angel added, ‘I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.’…

‘You are now pregnant
    and you will give birth to a son.
You shall name him Ishmael,
    for the Lord has heard of your misery’…

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me’” (Gen. 16:7-11, 13).

 Abraham and Sarah, who should have cared about her needs, mistreated and abused her. They didn’t see her as a person, just a slave. But God saw Hagar. And that assurance gave her the strength to go back (where her and her baby’s needs would be taken care of) and serve them. Even though Abraham and Sarah had been unkind, God was with her.

Maybe today you are feeling forgotten. Perhaps you’ve been hurt by the words or treatment of someone who calls themself a Christian. You may feel so discouraged that you want to end it all. Please don’t. Please.

Right now, call on the name of Jesus, who sees you , right where you are. And ask Him for help. He cares for you.

“Mark it down. You will never go where God is not.” Max Lucado

You are Wanted.