Hope Out of Despair #3

Close to the heart.....

When bad things happen to things close to the heart, often we find that our dreams, visions and hopes all come crashing down with it.

Maybe its a difficult season, not tragic, just a constant uphill journey... we get tired.

Maybe its tragedy, our life and all we thought seems to go up in smoke around us... where do we look, how do we move on from here?

Maybe its sickness, ill-health, disease, disillusionment, depression, discouragement.....

Maybe we don't even know what it is...

The reality of life is that there are mountains and there are valleys. No one is immune. Every single person faces trials and challenges.

Its what happens in you, in your heart, in your mind and in your world as a result of the things inflicted upon you. Thats what actually matters.

The truth is, as hard as it is, you CAN choose the outcome. You CAN choose if this thing will mean defeat or if you will walk until there's victory.

Im not saying you dont feel the pain in the moment. Im not saying we ignore grief, our emotions, our feelings or at all pretend that things are ok.

I am saying we can't stay there forever.

We must choose to face, and embrace the season of grief, pain or difficulty in order to move from it into a new season. It may take a long time, but as long as you are still walking through it, keep walking.

If you bury it, you will carry it. And unless it is given opportunity to be healed, it will likely destroy you later in life.

Scientifically its being proven more and more that most sickness and disease can be found rooted in some kind of unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment or brokenness that has resonated within a person for a long time. Sometimes so long the person has forgotten its even there.

We have got to learn to let things go, to let oyrselves be healed and made whole again.

We were designed to be connected with other people, people we trust, those who love and care and help to carry us through (or at least hear us out) during all seasons of life. The good, the bad and the just plain ugly.

We were also designed to be connected to our Creator. A loving God who gave everything for us. And when everything falls apart, He is really the only true and completely faithful friend who can be relied on 100% of the time for 100% of our needs.

If we dont look to Him, we will likely be filling the gap with something or someone else who just cant be that to us.

We were designed to live whole. To not carry the weight of the world. To not carry bitterness, unforgiveness, resentment or pain at our lifes circumstances.  We can try really hard to overcome, but I think most often that we cant truly overcome in our own strength.

We need support and we need the help of Jesus.

So if I could speak to your world today I would tell you to seek Him. To ask Him to help. Even if you dont know Him or doubt His existence. Ask Him to show you who He is.

My life is a story of brokenness, repaired and rebuilt by Him. He is worth knowing. He LOVES you more than you can imagine and He has seen everyday of your life.

He is the only one who can truly "save" us or make us completely whole.

Have courage to try again. Don't let go of the things that you "once" dreamed of.

Walk wisely and sensibly, but get up and walk.

Have hope dear friend. There is hope for change. There is hope for the things you have let die.

While there is breath, there is hope for better things ahead.

Jeremiah 29:11-14a NLT

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the lord . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the lord.

Much love
Arna x