How to Pray When You Don't Know What to Ask God For

 

It happens every time.

I’m sitting talking with God, and when their names come to mind, I hesitate. Perplexed and confused, I struggle to find the words to say.

Do you have one of those? A person, family, or even a situation that is so messy, so complicated that praying for them feels like wrestling with your faith.

I believe in the miracle of prayer. I believe that God wants us to pray general and specific prayers and to present all our requests to Him with thanksgiving. I believe that He delights in answering our prayers for His glory and our good. But I also believe that I should not pray for something if, deep down, I don’t believe it can happen.   

You see, faith ushers my prayer into God’s throne room. If I don’t believe He can do it, then my prayer is just empty words. I must believe that God is both able and willing to amaze us (and be glorified) through His answers to our prayers.

But when it comes to praying for this specific situation, I’m not sure what to ask God for. My faith struggles to envision what healing would look like or how God would reach into the multilayered pile of brokenness.

Moreover, I am so limited when it comes to understanding the ways of God - I don’t know if He plans to turn this dysfunction around for good. 

Yet, I know that He can. 

I want to pray. I am burdened to pray but don’t know how or what to pray.

So, I’m honest with God. I tell Him that I don’t know what to ask for, that I don’t know how much to believe Him for, but that I want Him to be glorified through it all. Then I ask for His help. And in His Word, I find the guidance I need.

Knowing God

I pray that my friend/family member may come to know God in a personal, life-transforming way. I pray that they will be surrounded by people who know and love God, who will point them to God. I pray that God will bless them with a desire to know Him more and more and that He would reveal Himself to them in ways that they would recognize. I pray for this because I am convinced that knowing God turns our darkness into light. I know that no matter how broken, dysfunctional, or without hope a situation appears, knowing God as our Saviour, Friend, and Lord brings life and hope.

Knowing Hope

 

I can’t imagine living in this world without hope. So, I pray that God-rooted hope will help my friend/family member make sense of the storms of life. I pray that this hope would blossom and flourish within them, that they will never be without it, and that they will see God working in and through their difficulties. I ask God to bless them with a hope that transcends this world and helps them to look forward to meeting Him face to face. And I pray they would be surrounded by people who continually point to the hope only God can give.

Use me, Lord

Then I pray for me – that I would love them like Jesus. And that God would reveal to me if there’s anything that He wants me to do to help them grow closer to Him in knowledge and hope and then give me the desire and will to complete it. Finally, I pray that God would guide my prayers for them, and I thank Him for hearing, answering, and delighting in my prayers for my loved ones.

Now, when I'm sitting talking with God and my loved one's messy circumstances weigh heavily on my mind, I can say humbly to God, "Lord, I don't know what to ask for, I don't know what good can come from this mess, but I know that knowing you more can bring Light into their darkness and give them a Rock to stand on. Please grant them the desire to seek You and reveal Yourself to them through Your Holy Spirit that they may know you better and be filled with Hope. Surround them with Your people and show me how I can help point them to You and love them like Jesus. Turn the situation around for good, dear Father and be glorified through it. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen." 

And then I rest and trust Him to do what only He can do.

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What about you? 

How do you pray when you don’t know what to ask God for? 

And where do you find help when you struggle to find the words to pray?

May grace and peace be multiplied to you as you intercede for your loved ones,

Carlie

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How to Pray When You Don't Know What to Ask God For

When the Answer to Your Prayer Seems Like an Impossible Dream

“You’re out of your mind!”

 

That’s what they told Rhoda when she blurted out the miraculous news – the prisoner they had been earnestly praying for, the one who had been arrested by King Herod, was being guarded by four squads of soldiers, and faced imminent death, that same prisoner, Peter, was standing outside their gate in the middle of the night, as a free man.

 

Rhoda had been so astounded when she heard Peter’s voice that instead of letting him in, she darted to tell the others. But the others, the very same ones who had been praying for Peter, didn’t believe her. Rhoda, the servant girl didn’t even have to see him to believe the miracle, but they did.

 

If you’re not familiar with the story found in Acts 12: 1-17, take a moment and read through it; there’s just too much encouragement there to miss. Here is an excerpt for you:

 

 

I often wonder what they were praying for exactly.

 

Were they praying for his comfort and peace while in prison, for Herod and the Jewish people to be lenient on him, or perhaps that he wouldn’t suffer for long? I wonder if they prayed for him to be set free.

 

And if they did, why were they so incredulous? Why were they so slow to believe when the answer to their prayers was standing outside their door? 

Even Peter thought he was dreaming when the angel woke him up and led him out of the prison.

 

Perhaps it all felt too good to be true.

 

But isn’t that just like God? Able and willing to blow our minds.

 

I’ve been thinking a lot about Peter’s miraculous escape, the prayers of the believers, and their response to God’s out-of-this-world answer to prayer. I think that God has been nudging me to remember critical truths that sometimes get lost in the craziness of life, and I’d like to share them with you because maybe you just might need to remember them, too.

 

Believe in the God of the Possible

 

Yes, it may seem like the answer to your prayer is an impossible dream, but don’t ever forget who you are praying to. Our Father in heaven can do abundantly more than we can ever ask or imagine. Abundantly more. Even to opening prison doors and leading prisoners out. All in answer to prayer. 

Sometimes, we don’t believe that what we pray for is even possible. And equally sad, often we don’t even dare ask for the miracle. Yet, the same God who created the world and upholds it by the Word of His power is able and willing to answer bold, audacious prayers in miraculous ways. All for His glory and our good. 

So, let us lean close to God, listen to and obey His guidance, and don’t give up praying and believing. Who knows? Our miracles just might come knocking in the middle of the night.

 

There’s Power in Community

 

Peter didn’t live in isolation. He was a key part of the community of believers, others who shared his faith, who knew him well enough to know when he was in trouble and needed help. He was involved in their lives as they were in his. So, when his life was in danger, his community rose to the task, gathered together, and sought the help of their heavenly Father on his behalf. It was the best and most they could do, and they did it. And the results were miraculous! It helps to have others praying for you!

 

In the Middle of the Mess, Rest in God

 

I’m not sure if I would have been able to sleep. Bound by chains between soldiers in a high-security prison on the very night I was to face my death sentence, my mind and nerves would have been all tangled up. Yet, the Scriptures tell us that Peter was asleep when the angel woke him up.  Asleep. Resting. Trusting God’s plan of rescue. Oh, if only I could rest like Peter did. When there seems to be no way out of the mess, I want that kind of rest. Reading Scriptures like this helps to remind me of who God is and leads me back to that peaceful place of resting in His sovereignty.  

 

Open the Door to Your Miracle

 

Sometimes, our prayers aren’t answered in the way or timing that we expect. And often, we don’t recognize the answers when they appear. We become so fixed on our version of how things should work out that we miss where God is working. We miss the opportunity to celebrate how He is showing up in our lives and to bless Him with our praise. 

I’ve been surprised so many times by God, yet still, when I sense the miracle knocking at my door, I hesitate, and doubt trickles in. To be honest, sometimes it floods in. And at that moment, I know what I must do. I must remember who God is. He is miracle-working, forever-loving, always-rescuing, personal, and close to the broken-hearted. 

As I meditate on who He is, I’m reminded that He can do anything He pleases, and nothing can stand in His way. I’m reminded that I can trust His heart and His plans. And he grants me the courage and the boldness to crank that door open and let my miracle in.

 

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What about you?

Has God ever answered your prayer in a way that blew your mind?

When the miracle you had been praying for knocks on your door, do you let it in? Do you believe it’s fully here even before you fully see it? How willing are you to accept God’s answer to your prayer as the miracle it really is?

 

Also, in the middle of the mess, while you’re earnestly praying for your miracle, are you able to rest in our rescuing God?

And finally, what about community? Do others know enough about you to lift you up in prayer in times of trouble? Do you know enough about them?

 

Just a few things to ponder as we wait on our miracle-working God.

 

May grace and peace be multiplied to you,

Carlie

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Encouragement to 'Believe For It' from CeCe Winans

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When the Answer to Your Prayer Seems Like an Impossible Dream

Why a Homeschool Yearbook is Good for my Soul

As I come to the end of our homeschooling journey, I'm taking time to reflect.

This post, written over six years ago, 

reminds me of God's faithfulness in the messy middle.

Whatever journey you are on, I pray it encourages you to pause, remember, and celebrate God's goodness today. 

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Sometimes I forget. 

I come to a rest stop on a long, arduous journey and I simply cannot remember anything else but the challenges, the failures, the not doing enough or being enough. I forget all that I have learned, how I have grown, the joys and thrills, and I simply feel very small, ill-equipped to continue on this not-for-the-weary journey.

If I stay in this place, consumed by my frailness in the light of the enormous task in front of me, I will not move. 

It's a dangerous place. It's a place where for a moment my eyes have fallen off of Jesus and lingered too long on self.

'What did I accomplish this year? Did I do enough? How will I continue?'

It's a place where I forget to remember God's faithfulness.

Remembering is Good for the Soul

Thankfully, God in His mercy throws me a line and pulls me out of the pit. That line is our homeschool yearbook. Sitting down to cull photos and events for our homeschool yearbook is nothing short of spiritual refreshment.

While I come face to face with my own shortcomings, I am wondrously and mercifully reminded of God’s lavish provisions.

We all have them - milestones along life’s journey, rest stops where we stop and take stock. Moments to pause and reflect - birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and other times of celebration, or more obscure moments like the end of your first year on the job, in a new place, or role. Whatever our milestone may be, it is an opportunity for us to look backward, look inward, and look forward.

God is so wise. He knows the importance of remembering. There are countless examples in His Word where He called His people to a time of remembrance. He knew that remembering is good for our souls.

And so, as I paused at the end of this school year, I remembered.

A Thousand Reasons to Give Thanks

I remembered that I am not fit for this task, but God is. Yes, I heard the voices, the should haves and could haves, the wish we had, but as I lingered over each photograph, each memory, I remembered behind my beginning. I remembered why I do what I do, remembered Whose ‘well done’ I’m working for, and Who empowers me to keep going. And I saw clearly and thankfully the tangible effects of God’s blessings in our lives - the accomplishments, the joys, the thrills, and yes even the blessings of the challenges. I remembered the peace that remains even when days get long and hard, the comfort of knowing that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him, and the promise of His power to those of us who are weak.

A picture is worth a thousand words, and for me - one who shies away from pictures - it is worth a thousand reasons to give thanks. I look at the picture of my daughter sitting at the computer completely engrossed in the book she is writing, and I give thanks. I look at the pictures of my son working on a robot he’s building and then subsequently winning third place in a science fair he chose to enter, and I give thanks. I see my children happily working on a puzzle together or look at the 'house of truth' we built when we completed our Christian worldview series, and I give thanks. I find so many reasons to give thanks when I remember.

Yes, working on our homeschool yearbook humbles me, brings me face-to-face with my weaknesses, reminds me of God’s unwavering presence, protection, and peace in our lives, and fills my heart with gratitude.

So, I don’t stay in that place, that place where I fall painfully short of my expectations and stumble under the weight of my responsibilities.

I climb out of the pit, and I readjust my focus.

I look backward at all God has done, I look inward and remember His Spirit within me and I look forward in anticipation of what He will continue to do as He displays His glory in our lives.

What about you? 

Maybe your rescue line is not a homeschool yearbook. Perhaps it’s creating a scrapbook of your journey, whatever that journey may be. Or it may simply be peering at old photographs, or reading old journal entries, whatever it may be, God wants you to stop and remember.

So go ahead my friend, take some time. Choose to purposefully remember all that God has done for you and His promise never to leave you. It will fill your heart with overflowing gratitude and hope and praise. Try it and you’ll see, it’s really good for the soul.

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Grace and peace to you,

Carlie

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Why a Homeschool Yearbook is Good for my Soul

Good Morning, God! It's me! How Are You Doing Today?

 

The words rolled off my tongue before I even realized what I was saying. I chuckled at the thought of talking to God as if He were walking alongside me ready to share His feelings with me.

But through that simple greeting, God whispered sweet truths to my soul.

‘Good morning, God’ –

God’s fresh mercy

Waking up each day is a blessing. For those who don’t know God as Father, it is yet another chance to respond to His offer of peace. For those who know Him, it is an opportunity to cling ever closer to Him. Indeed, waking up each day in a relationship with God is a gift that never loses its sparkle. It amazes me that God chooses me, vile and sinful as I am, to be His child. Some mornings, my eyes drift away from this gift, pulled in the direction of last night’s worries or today’s fears. But when I choose to remember who God is and who I am to Him, my spirit lifts as I am reminded that I’m still nestled in the arms of my heavenly Father, safe and secure.

'I awake, and I am still with you.' Psalm 139: 18b 

‘The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.’ Lamentations 3:22-23

God’s nearness

A whisper, a cry, a groan, God is near enough to hear. No matter what is happening in my life or in the world, God hears me when I call and promises never to leave me. His presence with me means everything. He is here, near to me, on the days when I’m filled with hope and on the days when I feel lost and confused and I’m struggling to hold onto hope. First thing in the morning, last thing at night, and all the moments in between, God is near to me. Always near.

‘The LORD is near to all who call on him; to all who call on him in truth.’ Psalm 145:18

‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you.’ Deut. 31:6

‘It’s me’ –

God’s intimate knowledge of me

As my Father and Creator, God knows everything about me - every thought, every word I’m going to say, and all that I do. He knows my past, my present, and my future. Everything! To be FULLY known by God yet FULLY loved by Him is a truth that amazes me every day.

‘O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.’ Psalm 139:1-5

‘For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.’ Psalm 139:13

‘Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.’ Psalm 139: 16

‘Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.’ Psalm 36:5

And not only does God know me intimately, but He also invites me to know Him as Father and Friend.

‘I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.’ 2 Corinthians 6:18

‘See what kind of love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and we are.’ 1 John 3:1a

‘No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.’ John 15:15

How are you doing today? - 

God’s personhood

God is so personal to me. He sends me flowers when I need fresh hope, lifts me up when I’m flagging, and refuels my faith when it’s fading. In so many real-to-me ways, He shows me that He is my Father. It’s only natural then that I would consider His thoughts and feelings.

‘How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they’re more than the sand.’ Psalm 139: 17-18a

Do you ever pause to think about how God feels? Thinking about God’s feelings is actually quite reassuring to me. It reminds me of His realness - His compassion, His love, and even His wrath and sorrow. When my heart breaks for the pain and hopelessness I see in the world, I know I don’t grieve alone. I think of Jesus’ tears, but I also think of what amazed Him and I’m reminded that God delights in my simple, child-like dependence on Him.

‘The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.’ Psalm 147:11

‘For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.’ Psalm 149:4

It’s a lot to think about, and I can do a whole study on God’s thoughts and feelings as revealed in Scripture, but for today, I’m choosing to keep it simple. 

When I say, 'Good morning, God, it’s me. How are You doing today?', I imagine Him saying, “I’m happy you’re here, my child; let’s talk for a while.”

‘The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.’ Zephaniah 3:17

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What about you?

Do you ever pause to consider God’s feelings and thoughts? 

Do you know what grieves His heart and what brings Him pleasure? 

How has God encouraged you in personal real-to-you ways?

How would you describe your relationship with God and how it affects your life? 

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May grace and peace be multiplied to you,

Carlie

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Good Morning, God! It's me! How Are You Doing Today?

Three Reasons We Can Praise God even when Our Prayers Go Unanswered

We are a people addicted to success.

No matter how we define or measure it, success affects every aspect of our lives - how we view ourselves and others, how we set and tackle life goals, and sadly, even how and when we praise God.

Think about it.

It’s been a long time and you’ve been holding on to hope that God will answer your prayer. You can even see it in your mind’s eye. The deliverance. The relief. The praise party that follows. Everyone will know what God has done for you.

But it hasn’t happened yet. And your praise? Well, it’s a bit lukewarm, to say the least.

Or maybe, it was a more urgent crisis, and God didn’t show up the way you had hoped He would. If you’re honest, you feel a little disappointed (or maybe a lot) and rejoicing in your trials feels like more than you can handle.

When we pause to examine our success/praise connection, we realize that all too often we wait for a ‘successful outcome’ to our prayers before we burst forth in God-honouring praise. In our waiting or our disappointment, we fail to praise God for His sustaining grace.

God’s Sustaining Grace

True, you haven’t gotten the answer you prayed for, but haven’t you been kept? Haven’t you been strengthened and comforted as you walked through the valley? Have you celebrated the glimmers of hope God gave you along the way?

Sometimes, our eyes are so fixed on the expected end, that we look right past all the blessings on the way.

Why not pause and praise God right now for the way He has held you up and kept you going, kept you hoping, even with bruised and battered knees.  

Yes! God’s presence with us in the dark valley of unanswered prayer is worthy of our wholehearted praise.

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.” ~ Psalm 73:23 

But that’s not all.

God’s Gift of Salvation

As members of God’s family, even if He never again does anything for us, He’s done enough. Our salvation, our welcome into His presence, our gift of life forever with Him should cause us to overflow with praise.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” ~ Ephesians 2:4-6

Ponder that for a moment and let that refreshing truth saturate your parched soul.

You were dead. Destined for wrath. But now you are alive, saved from God’s wrath, and seated with Christ in the heavenly places. And what’s more - He has given you everything you need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)

I think that’s worthy of our unending praise, don’t you?

“The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. ~ Psalm 118:14

God’s sustaining grace and His gift of salvation aren’t the only reasons we can praise Him in the valley. We can praise God because no matter what it looks like in our limited vision, He is still on His throne.

God’s Sovereignty

It happens to all of us. Every so often, we become overwhelmed by the mountain of prayer needs around us. But we don’t have to crumble in discouragement. Instead, we can choose to fix our gaze on God and His sovereignty.

“Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” ~ Jeremiah 32:17

God is not delayed in answering you; He has a plan which no one can thwart (Job 42:2) and for those that love Him, He promises to work all things together for good (Romans 8:28). Even when we don’t understand His timing or His answer, we can trust His heart. And we can rest in knowing that this good God has supreme power and authority over everything.

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” ~ Romans 11:33

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My friend, I don’t know what answer you’re waiting for right now or what disappointment you may be facing, but I do know that God is always worthy of our praise. He walks with us even through our troubles, He died that we may live, and with Him all things are possible. May He reign in our hearts as He reigns over ALL and may we bless Him with our unending praise.  

Grace and peace to you,

Carlie

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Three Reasons We Can Praise God even when Our Prayers Go Unanswered

How to Accept Your Weakness and Ask for God's Help

It’s not something we are comfortable with. When we bump into it, as we all inevitably do, our gut reaction is to feel embarrassed and exposed. So, we run. We try our best to hide it from others, and we try to pretend it’s not even there. We are so unsettled by its presence that we crave just the opposite. But eventually, we all must face it. And how we respond to it can have life-changing and eternal consequences.

What am I talking about? Our weakness. Our inability to meet a need we are faced with.

From childhood, we are conditioned to take aim and shoot it down, to go to war with it. It just does not fit into our quest to be strong and independent. And being strong and independent, standing on our own, needing no one is the victory we’re after. Or is it?

Think about it. The last time you were faced with your inability, how did you respond?  Did you become defensive and argumentative, angry, or ashamed? Did you burn the midnight oil to come up with a solution on your own? Or did you ask for help?

Asking for help is one of the greatest lessons to master in life. I can’t imagine how much pain we would avoid if we pushed our pride aside, accepted our weakness, and asked for help. But so often, we struggle to do this. It’s as if, our admission of weakness is too much to bear.

But, if we were to stop comparing ourselves to each other or even to a perfect version of ourselves and compare ourselves to God, accepting our weakness would be an easy thing to do. Next to God, I am nothing, and neither are you and we can do nothing. He is the Creator of all things seen and unseen, and His power is without limit.

God hasn’t created us to be strong and independent, to do life on our own. He has created us to live branch lives, to be fully dependent on Him (abiding in Him) as we thrive in community, in relationship with Him and others.  

This 'branch life' is totally counter-cultural. In fact, it goes against our very grain. We don’t like being dependent. We kick and fight against it, but the reality is we are. When we stop fighting and finally accept our weakness, it’s not the pain we imagined it would be. In contrast, it opens the door for us to receive grace, to live in community, and to experience the full (and dependent) life God offers us.

'The branch life gives power for prayer. We are branches of Christ, the Living Vine. We must simply live like branches - abide in Christ - then we will ask what we will, and it will be done unto us.' ~Andrew Murray

But we have to start with admitting our weakness. We spend so much of our lives avoiding the issue and ignoring the conversation. Why not take some time to sit back and look at your life? You won’t have to look far to see it. And once you do, admit it. You are not able to do life on your own. Not the full, thriving life you’re after. Then, once you’ve admitted it, accept it. It’s okay. It is meant to be this way. We’re all in the same boat. Weak and needful.

Then, my friend, simply ask God for help. Just think about it. The Creator and Sustainer of the universe has given you everything you need for life and is offering to walk with you and let His Spirit dwell in you. When you accept His offer, you can become comfortable with your weakness, because with Him, even when we are weak, we are strong.

‘His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.’ ~ 2 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

‘That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.’ ~ 2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)

 Have you gotten to that point? In delighting in weakness. If I’m honest, I still struggle with the delight part. Yeah, I’m getting better at accepting, I’ve been in God’s school a long time, but delighting in my weakness is still something God is working on in me. But I have His promise, He will complete what He has started in me, and along the way, He will show me more and more what it means to live the branch life.

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What about you? 

Where are you on the road to admitting, accepting, and asking for help? 

Have you acknowledged your greatest need? Your inability to fix what’s broken between you and God? 

Have you asked for His help and accepted His gift of a renewed life and relationship with Him? 

And if you have, how are you doing with accepting your weakness and asking for His help in the day-to-day struggles of life? 

God is waiting for you to admit, accept and ask. 

What are you waiting for?

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May grace and peace be multiplied to you,

Carlie

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How to Accept Your Weakness and Ask for God's Help

In This Dark World, Do Your Words Leave Room for Hope?

It was a simple, short sentence. Just three words really.

But I’ve been haunted by them ever since.

Convicted by the lack of hope I left in their wake.

Has that ever happened to you?

You open your mouth, and out comes words that you regret the moment they take wings and fly. Or maybe, you don’t feel it right away. Perhaps, it takes some time for the uneasiness to settle into your consciousness and ruffle your conscience.  But sooner or later, it pricks you.

You want to shine light and sprinkle grace with your words, to point others to the hope you find in Christ, yet sometimes you do just the opposite. You proclaim a death sentence. A chilling judgment that leaves no room for hope, no encouragement to look for how God will show up, as He always does.

Yes, I know, I understand. The situation looks dire. It has been years and your loved one is still caught in a pattern of self-destructive behaviour. Your bills keep outrunning your income, and you feel like you can’t keep up. And as for your health, some days you don’t even have the energy to fight on. But hear me, carefully. All is not lost.

God is still on His throne, and you are still His child. He is working in ways you can’t even see, and He hasn’t lost sight of you or the problems that plague you and your loved ones. In fact, He still has the whole world in His grasp.

There is hope. Always hope.

I’m a firm believer that one cannot live without hope. And there is no surer hope than the Hope found in God the Father and Jesus Christ, His Son.

So, how do we keep this Hope front and centre? How does it seep into our very beings, so much so, that it overflows in our words and actions?

As we bid farewell to 2021, and with it the second year of the global pandemic, I’m choosing three simple R’s to hold onto Hope.

1) Reflect on God as Light

The words of John 1:5 seem to be stuck on full beam in my mind.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ~ John 1:5 (ESV)

I can sit with that verse for the whole day. It reminds me that no matter how dismal or dark the world or our circumstances seem, darkness does not win; God’s light always breaks through!

Sometimes, though, it’s hard to find the light. Sometimes, it takes time for our eyes to adjust to the darkness, to search for the shards of light breaking through. But they are always there. To help us see, we need to take time to remember.

2) Remember the Goodness of God

When we glance back over the year, and our gaze descends on the dark days, let’s look closely for the sparks of light. Let’s choose to remember what God has done for us, how He showed up in merciful and surprising ways.

For instance, I think of the pain of losing my sister-in-law, way too soon, and yet I remember God’s mercy to her and the light she shone so brilliantly in her life and even in her dying. Yes, the pain is still there, even overwhelming at times, but somehow by remembering God’s mercy, it becomes more bearable.

Please don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to minimize or disregard your pain, I’m simply reminding us to look for God. He has promised never to leave us and when we look back and remember, we can see that He has kept His word.

This is exactly why we rejoice.

3) Rejoice in the Steadfastness of God

Even when life feels uncertain, when everything around us is changing, and we are struggling to find solid ground, we can rejoice. Why? Because God is steadfast.

He never changes, He remains the Rock we can stand on, cling to, and find shelter in. And He constantly pursues us with His unchanging love. Even when we have failed to reflect Him, to use our words and actions to spread hope, He offers us grace.

Nothing quite fills us with hope like rejoicing in the steadfast love and faithfulness of God.

So, there you have it, my friend, nothing complicated, just three simple R’s to help us hold onto Hope and shine light and sprinkle grace wherever we go.

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What about you?

Do you need to take time to reflect, remember and rejoice today?

Do you ever feel convicted by your hope-stripping words?

Don’t worry, God’s grace is sufficient for us all. 

As we reflect on God as our Light, remember His goodness and mercy to us, and rejoice in his steadfast love and faithfulness, may the hope that He offers consume us.

May this Hope sink in deep and settle in the crevices of our hearts, our minds, our very souls. May it touch everything in our lives, the way we see the world, the way we interact with others, and especially the words that we use.

May our hope-drenched words shower us and others with the courage to keep on believing.

For isn’t that what we all need in this world? May God help us all.

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Grace and peace be multiplied to you,

Carlie

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In This Dark World, Do Your Words Leave Room for Hope?