HOPE
By Karen D’Amore
“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
42:5 (NIV)
Just
weeks after losing her mother to cancer, my client/friend was diagnosed with
stage-four pancreatic cancer. Having spent months supporting her through her
mother’s illness, I was stunned by her disheartening news. As I attempted to
digest her prognosis, I felt crippled with helplessness…and initially, a
feeling of hopelessness.
Committing
to walk through this battle with her, I prayed for distinct ways to encourage
her. And as I wallowed in those feelings of hopelessness, God clearly impressed
on my heart the word…HOPE!
The
Free-Dictionary’s definition of hope is: to wish for something with expectation of its
fulfillment; desire, aspiration. In contrast, biblical HOPE transcends far
beyond a fragile and flimsy “wish.”
“According to the Hebrew and Greek words
translated by the word “hope” and according to biblical usage, HOPE is an
indication of certainty. “Hope” in Scripture means “a strong and confident
expectation.” Though archaic today in modern terms, HOPE is akin to trust and a
confident expectation.” [1, emphasis added]
As
a believer, my friend is embracing this battle with confident assurance that
her HOPE is in the Lord. She’s also trusting God has allowed this battle to
pass through her life for His purpose. Because I am a former cancer warrior, God is continually
redeeming my cancer battle to comfort and encourage her.
“Praise be to the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all
comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort
those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2
Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV).
It’s been several months since my friend’s initial
diagnosis. Her good news/bad news journey fluctuates daily, with some tumors
shrinking while others continue to grow. Her future is uncertain; each time I
see her, I recognize it could be the last. Believing God called me to encourage
her with inspired words of HOPE, each visit I leave her with an object/gift
with the word HOPE on it. With her chemo-ravaged body displaying distinct signs
of illness…I’m HOPE-full and
encouraged, as her Spirit reflects the joy of the Lord.
Is your soul downcast by life’s struggles? Are you in a
situation that feels hopeless? Turn to
God…the True source of HOPE! And… “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as
you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13, NIV, emphasis
added).
He
Offers
Peace
Everyday
GOING DEEPER:
1. What have you fixed your hope on?
FURTHER READING:
Married
to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at
Craig Berns Salon and Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She’s
on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team.
