My friend and I were driving down to town to join a local singles dinner party. Through divorce, she also has experienced tragic loss, and I had asked her how things were going, and her answer touched me.
She described the way many well-meaning friends offer pity rather than encouragement, and how after one such friend left her home recently, she had closed the door, leaned back against it, and offered a prayer. "Oh, Father, bring back my hope!"
All who have suffered loss know how powerful words are - and how much pain they can cause. When someone unwittingly crushes our hope, and places us back in the 'victim' role, what can we do to regain our positive frame of mind?
I offer two suggestions:
First, let's follow my friend's example. Let's turn to our Maker. He knows our hearts; He knows the pain we are feeling, and He knows how to ease that pain. Let's ask Him to help us to forgive the unknowing, unkind words and to remember any loving words that have been given to us recently. Let's turn to His words and pray to be led to passages that will lift our hearts. I know from personal experience that He will lead our eyes to verses that bring renewed hope and gratitude into our lives.
Secondly, let's ask Him to guide us to something we can do for someone else. As we serve, we will lift the burdens of two people: the person we serve, and our own. It doesn't have to be anything impressive; things as simple as a note in the mail, a phone call, or pulling their trash can in from the street can all convey love and concern and brighten a day.
As we rub shoulders with the human race we are bound to be hurt and misunderstood, and our hope for healing and peace can be dashed. As our hope begins to wane, let us call upon Him who said, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee, be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10)
He will hear our plea, and our hope will be renewed once more.
