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 a Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility.
