Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11.1
Hope not being some wish list or vague desire for things to be different , but a strong certainty of that which we can not yet see but have been promised
Hope is in short supply in this world.
I dont need to tell you why. You just have to open your eyes and look around you. And you also need to open your ears and listen to people to hear their hopelessness and despair. Even Christians.
The Advent blog post which has received by far and away the most reads and shares was the one I wrote on depression a couple of years ago. I was amazed at the response I got when I shared a bit of my struggle with hopelessness. Dozens and dozens of people messaged me or commented on my Facebook post saying that they too were struggling and thanking me for sharing.
Everywhere I go I hear the guilt people feel about their hopelessness - especially amongst Christians. Because we KNOW the hope we are supposed to have. We understand the Good News, the end result, We know who wins and that we are on the winning side. And yet...... and yet..... sometimes that is not enough is it?
And when the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say.....
Matt Redman and his wife know about that darkness - they lost a baby. And they didnt pretend that everything was OK. They acknowledged that the darkness exists and that sometimes it overwhelms and squishes the life out of you. But ' Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him Job 13.15 Blessed be the name of the Lord.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnWKehsOXu8
A couple of weeks ago I was talking to a young Christian woman who confided in me, ashamed, that she was on anti depressants. When I told her that so was I, she was so surprised. This week a guy in his mid twenties told me he would be taking strong anti psychotic medication for life . And he had never told anyone that before, for fear of being judged. Despite the fact that the medication makes him better and completely well. Another friend of mine is clearly depressed but resisting going to the doctor because they have convinced themselves that this is a sign that both they and God have failed.
Dear friends, we are in a battle. Battle is messy and people get wounded. Sometimes the darkness does close in. Sometimes the hope we have in Jesus gets squashed by what is thrown at us. But we are a team. We are family. We are committed to help each other through.However battered you may be God is still on your side. If today you feel that you are merely hanging on by your fingernails then please tell someone - ask for help, go to the doctor, get someone wise to pray for you. Dont hide and be ashamed - because there is no failure in admitting to it. Your enemy wants to keep you out of action and off the battlefield. Dont let him win .
Sometimes Jesus heals us through prayer, through the love and care of friends, through His word speaking to our Spirits. And sometimes He heals us with medication and counselling. If you need it - do it , One small tablet a day has saved my life. And I thank Jesus for that.
Sorry this has all been a bit heavy :) I promise some laughs and fluffiness soon .
Lord Jesus, I thank you for the Hope you bring. Hope of an eternity with no more tears or suffering, no more death or sorrow. A Hope of joy in Your presence for ever. But Lord sometimes that Hope isnt strong enough in us to get us through the days. Thank you for people and medicines which can help us when we are overwhelmed. In these last days as the battle intensifies please restore the hope of our salvation and strengthen our faith. Bring your joy and peace into our sadness and stress. Help us not to hide in the shadows but to bring our whole selves into the light. You came to this world to bind up the broken hearted and set the captives free. The very reason for Your incarnation. Thank you. Help me to believe it and receive it,
Amen
