Tuesday, July 20, 2010

More Than Wishful Thinking

Last week I had hope. Last week God gave me a verse about how He delights in those who put their hope in His unfailing love (Psalm 147:10). Last week I prayed and lived with expectation that God will do all that He has promised. But this week, I'm wondering if it was nothing more than wishful thinking.

So, what's changed?

Well, some old acquaintances have reappeared: Conflict. Challenge. Comparison. Cares (of the world). Contentment (a lack of).

They've left me feeling hopeless and helpless, and I'm questioning the truth of God's word.

I mean, does this sound familiar? Have you been there?

Like God gave me this writing dream thing. I stepped out in faith to start a blog. Now, I've made plenty of mistakes--spent too much time trying to grow the blog--and in the process, I neglected some important people. People who love me, and I love them too--more than anything in the world.

I realized that some days I spent more time visiting other blogs than I spent with my loving God. And He's the reason that I write. Now, that's way wrong.

I had to make some changes.

I read my Bible before I read anything on the computer. If my darlin' husband is at home, I don't blog. If the little girls who call me Nonna are here, I don't blog.

As you can see, I haven't blogged much in the past few months. My blog isn't growing. My writing is limited to my journals.

How will I ever become a writer?

This dream seems hopeless, sweet girl, like wishing on a star.

But then I read what a guy named Paul wrote about a guy named Abraham.

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be" (Romans 4:18).

See God made a promise to Abraham. Abraham dreamed of the day when he would see the promise fulfilled. He waited and waited. Still, no promised son. Abraham's dream began to seem hopeless to him.

Just like my dream seems to me. Like maybe your dream or situation seems to you.

But look at these words: against all hope.

I love this message! When we think that there's no reason to hope--that hope is gone--we are wrong.

Sweet girl, we will always have hope.

Against all hope, we can hope.

In spite of the conflicts and challenges that we face--in spite of how we sometimes focus too much on the cares of the world--what we're going to eat, drink, and wear--and in spite of feeling an occasional lack of contentment, we still have hope.

Our hope is based on more than mere wishful thinking; our hope is a person. His name is Jesus Christ, and He loves us with an unfailing love. A love that will never, ever disappoint or disappear.

Abraham put his hope in God.

Against all hope.

May we do the same.

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18 comments:

  1. You're oh-so-right, Deb. We put our trust in Him and what He wants will come to pass -- whether we have a blog or not! He's not limited by the things that we let limit us, is He?

    You keep dreaming and working as He gives you time -- and keep loving that family!

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  2. I've just read the last few postings of your blog and I am always impressed. I can identify with alot and need to hear it. Thanks for your blog.

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  3. I so need to hear this message from time to time to remind me to keep hoping and keep praying. There's been someone on my heart for almost 19 years now. He needs to find the Lord. Sometimes I think I see progress, then the pendulum swings the other way. But maybe the progress is not mine to see, at least right now. So I'll keep hoping and I'll keep praying. Thanks for the reminder today. Blessings to you.

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  4. Deb, yes, I love that verse too, and you just put a new spin on it! When God leads, He will in His time, provide the way and "time." I have to learn that one, almost weekly. You know, He does have all the time in the world. Thanks for this post.

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  5. This is where I am right now.. hoping against all hope. SO thankful that no matter what, He is enough.

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  6. You have been a blessing to me, whether you know it or not. I too struggle with time in trying to grow my blog. Now I am in a season of only writing when I am inspired by the Holy Spirit, or the occasional fun, getting to know you post, that I still love to do every now and then. God will grow it, if we remain faithful to what He's called us to do. He has given you this dream to write and you will see it come to pass!

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  7. Deb - I daresay that many of us have been and or right there where you are! I started my blog as well in obedience to what God was calling me to do. I have to remind myself of why I do it and to never neglect my spiritual growth by spending too much time here and not enough time in His Word.

    You are doing a wonderful job and I am always blessed here!

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  8. Thank you so much for your honesty - it is so refreshing. I seriously think you are in my head sometimes! :) I have been pondering on the same things.

    But against all hope..........Love this post. xo

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  9. Thank you for posting this Deb! I needed to read those exact words!! The reminder has been refreshing!! Thanks for sharing your heart in such an impactful way.

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  10. Be encouraged. God will complete the work he began in you and called you to do. His timetable is always different than ours.

    And remember that scripture also says of Abraham that he believed God and it was counted unto him as righteousness.

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  11. Dear Cindy,
    Thank you for dropping by my blog home and leaving your message.

    I appreciate the comment left here on your blog by Cindy - Letters From Midlife to encourage you that God does complete what he begins. He never has informed me ahead of time just what he's up to. Perhaps ours is to follow close enough that we aren't dismayed. You are working hard to do that. So am I. Sisters.

    Thank you for your prayers and expression of concern. Please know that I'm doing very well and do, indeed, enjoy "sweet dreams."
    Blessings,
    Judith

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  12. I'm not sure how you can not succeed with such clear thinking! It is such a trial to balance our time online and our time with our loved ones. I think we all do well to question where we put our energies.

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  13. Against all hope, I'm hanging on to Jesus. He is my hope. Without him, I'm sunk. Let's talk soon.

    Love you.

    peace~elaine

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  14. Love the verse you quoted, it's one of my favorites.

    What a great God we have to give us something to hold on to. and to look forward to, against all hope.

    When we are holding on to God we''re on the right track, dear Deb.

    Love
    Lidj

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  15. What a powerful post. I just spent a week in Michigan with some gal pals and although I blogged briefly each night just to let people know where we were and what we were doing I still spent more time basking in the wonderful world God has given us...and writing physically in a journal and spending time with a dear friend and my precious daughter. God is Good...when we listen.

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  16. Thank you for this post. I can relate. I want to write...I feel called to write. But I also sense that "fine line," that balance I have to strike between putting work into this thing...and keeping the main things the main things in my life. I too can tell when my priorities are out of whack, and it's not a good place to find myself. I'm glad I'm not the only one that's felt this way before. It all comes back to Jesus, the hope I have in Him (as you reminded me) and what He has done for me, not what I'm doing for Him.

    Jennifer
    www.thefarriswheel.blogspot.com

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  17. Can I just succintly say, "Ditto!" Maybe "Double Ditto!"

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  18. You are a wise woman, Deb. I so appreciate you.

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