Hurt Happens but Hope Endures

"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 42:11 NIV

There is something to be said about hope.  It is the one thing that truly motivates us to keep going when our world is falling apart.  The problem exists, however, in defining what hope really is.

For the author of the Psalm (King David), misery had tried to overwhelm him.  Cut of from his place of worship, whether from being chased away by Saul or from the insurrection of his son Absalom, David was deeply hurt and feelings of depression were beginning to emerge.

Have you ever felt that way?  Silly question for most of us.  There are times when we all have experienced a crushing blow in life whether it be from the death of a loved one, sickness, financial upheavals, or  heartbreak in relationships.  Hurt happens.

Without hope, hurt and misery drown out the good in life.  We drown, or at least feel like drowning, because we cannot see beyond the moment, beyond the scope of our pain.  Without hope, living seems useless and others just seem to pile on the meaningless platitudes of thoughtful but useless encouragement - at least that is how we receive it because the pain deflects the true kindness of strangers. The pain tells us we cannot have joy or ever experience happiness....

But David does something here that the pain refuses to allow us to do - he asked why.

Why, my soul, are you so downcast?  Help comes to those who decide to stop listening to the pain and start listening for hope.  It takes time, energy, and effort, but it is possible.

We have to listen for hope.  For those who seek God through the beautiful relationship we can have with His Son, they have found hope.  Solid hope that cannot be moved.  Life changes.  Miseries change.  Sources of happiness change.  But God remains constant.  His hope is eternal.  So when we decide to stop listening to the pain and stop believing the lie that tells us we can never have real hope, we can start hearing the still voice of God - a quiet voice of assurance and peace that calms our disturbed souls.

No wonder Jesus sought solitude in the mountains.  He was listening to His Father's voice.  No wonder David took control of His disturbed soul, he knew he could hear the voice of God regardless of where he worshipped.

For those seeking to help others enduring the pains of hopelessness, learn to cry with them and celebrate with them.  Show them hope through  kindness and with gentleness.  But remember that you also need to have a quiet place to experience the voice of God who gives enduring hope.

Seek God and all He has to offer today and forevermore.  Be still and know He is God.