Hope for Hurting People
We live in a sin-stained world. The sins we commit and the sins committed by others can drastically alter the course of our lives. Beyond our choices, the effects of sin plague our physical world – violent natural disasters, sickness, tragic accidents, birth defects, and the list goes on. Sorry to start with heartbreaking news. Keep reading. There’s hope in the heartache.
Paul teaches us well about this in Romans 8:22-23, where he says, “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, grown inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
I don’t know how sin is affecting your life right now, but I know it is. Even in the best of days, we can’t escape the consequences of Adam’s choice at the beginning of creation. But the Scripture offers hope.
From the Romans passage, there is hope that Jesus will return and restore us and all of creation for all time.
Hope from the words of Joseph in Genesis 50 when he says, “As for you, you mean evil against me, but God meant it for good…So do not fear…”
Hope from the pen of Isaiah in chapter 30, “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Sometimes God’s voice is in front of us, beckoning us forward, sometimes it’s beside us, directing us moment by moment, and sometimes his voice is behind us, pushing us through the hardest of times.
Hope from Jesus who invites us into his peace in Matthew 11, when he says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Hope from Revelation 21 as John sees the glory of the holy city and recalls a thunderous voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Until that glorious day comes, though, plan to be battle-tested, sin-scarred, and faith-filled. Hard days will come, but a better day is coming. I don’t know what you are going through today, but your future in Christ is bright, peaceful, whole, and healthy. May we walk through times of trial and suffering with these great truths at the forefront of our minds!
In Christ,
