Sometimes God doesn’t answer the way we expect… but He is always working for our good.
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https://ozsazzles.podbean.com/e/finding-hope-in-faith-a-journey-with-god/
Christian Hope
Hope is not wishful thinking.
Hope is faith-filled expectation.
It is trusting in our Lord and Saviour and waiting in anticipation for Him to move.
When we are expecting God to act, we must remember this:
His ways are not our ways.
His thoughts are far above ours.
He sees the whole picture.
He goes before us.
And because of that, He may not act when or how we expect Him to.
At times, we may feel frustrated… disappointed… or confused when His answer doesn’t match our prayers.
That is where faith comes in.
Trusting God’s Goodness
We can rest in the truth that our God is always good and always has a plan.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
Even when we cannot see what He is doing, we can trust His heart.
My Personal Journey of Waiting
Many years ago, I wanted God to miraculously heal my daughter of high-functioning autism and ADHD.
I was exhausted.
I felt burdened by the responsibility of caring for her and advocating for her.
It was heartbreaking to witness prejudice from teachers, parents, and other children.
I cried out to God for healing.
But He did not heal her instantly.
Instead, He taught me patience.
He taught me endurance.
And He provided in ways I never expected.
He placed people across our path to help us.
He guided me to professionals who could support us.
We were blessed when Lifeline paid $2,000 for a three-day assessment and report through Autism Queensland.
Our family also attended a two-week autism course and a one-week anger management course at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital free of charge.
God made a way.
God Was Working All Along
Our family learned how to support her—and each other.
I became more compassionate.
More flexible.
Less rigid.
My daughter learned to understand her triggers, manage her emotions, and communicate beautifully.
Today, most people would never know she once struggled in those ways.
Over time, God brought healing.
Not in an instant.
But through a journey.
Looking back now, I can see He has done a mighty work in both of us.
She has grown into a confident, compassionate woman with a wonderful sense of humour.
She works.
She has a lovely family of her own.
She is a wonderful mother, a loyal friend, and a loving daughter.
God answered.
Just differently than I expected.
Hope While You Wait
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
I encourage you today:
Wait on the Lord with hope.
He is working behind the scenes.
He is moving in ways you cannot yet see.
You have no idea what He is preparing.
And He may astound you with His solutions.
Faith, Hope, and Love
These verses in Corinthians remind us that hope is deeply connected to faith and love.
[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres…. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:7 & 13 (NIV)
How Do We Find Hope?
If we do not have faith in God, and love for God and others, it can be difficult to hold onto hope.
Hope is not something we can simply force through sheer willpower or determination.
True hope grows as we experience the goodness, faithfulness, and love of God over time.
One of the best ways to begin building hope is by reading the Bible and learning about our amazing Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
As you read Scripture, you begin to see His character.
His mercy.
His faithfulness.
His miracles.
His love.
I especially love the Gospels because they reveal the heart and goodness of Jesus so beautifully.
This is one of my favourite Scriptures on hope:
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 (NKJV)
What a beautiful promise.
God does not just offer a little hope.
He causes us to abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Spend Time in His Presence
Another life-giving habit is spending quiet time in God’s presence.
I like to find a peaceful place where I won’t be disturbed and simply sit with Him.
To pray.
To listen.
To rest.
Sometimes I meditate on a verse like Romans 15:13.
Other times I read Scripture… or listen to testimonies of people whose lives have been transformed by Jesus.
We can ask Him to fill us with faith, hope, and love.
We can ask Him questions about anything.
He cares about every detail of our lives.
God does not always answer with audible words.
Sometimes He speaks through:
- peace in the middle of a storm
- symbols or pictures
- a Scripture that stands out
- wise words from another person
- unexpected opportunities or answers
He is always communicating.
Jesus is the Word.
We simply need to learn to listen.
Praise Changes the Atmosphere
One of my favourite ways to build hope, faith, and love is through praise and worship.
Putting on a beautiful worship song and singing along never fails to lift my spirit and draw me closer to Him.
Worship changes the atmosphere.
It shifts our focus from our problems to His greatness.
And where His presence is… hope rises.
Find Strength in Community
Another important step is becoming part of a church community.
We were never meant to walk this journey alone.
Christian friendships and a supportive church family are invaluable when it comes to building lasting hope.
When we are weak, others can pray for us.
When we are discouraged, others can encourage us.
When we lose sight of hope, others can remind us of God’s promises.
Together, we grow stronger.
Prayer
Father God,
Thank You that You are the God of hope. Thank You that Your love is constant, Your promises are true, and Your plans are good. Fill us with joy and peace as we trust in You. Help us to grow in faith, hope, and love through the power of the Holy Spirit. Draw us closer to You as we spend time in Your presence, worship You, and walk in community with other believers. Teach us to hear Your voice and trust Your leading. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activation
Today, choose one practical way to build hope.
You might:
- read a chapter from the Gospels
- spend ten quiet minutes in prayer
- listen to a worship song
- write down three ways God has been faithful
- reach out to a Christian friend or attend church
Take one small step toward hope today.
God is already moving.
Right now is always the best time to begin.
If this message encouraged you, please share the link with someone who might need it today. I’d love to hear how you have held onto hope in God. Please share your story in the comments below.
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