“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence." Jeremiah 17:7 (NLT)
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Romans 12:12 (NLT)
For Reflection:
Confident Hope Amid Unexpected, Hard Things: Finding Sacred Spaces
In today's passages, Jeremiah and Paul share a consistent message of confident hope in the Lord. Of trusting. Of being patient and persistent in prayer in times that are hard, in the waiting, and in every day. Both were speaking from direct knowledge and depth of faith amid difficulty – with and without glimpses of God’s kingdom breaking through among His people.
Their urging sounds so straight-forward – even desirable; yet, it can sometimes be so hard to live out in real-time. We encounter experiences—a diagnosis, a challenge with school or work or family. Circumstances that can suddenly shift our days and focus considerably; and sometimes even challenge our sense of security, wellness, or peace. This can be unsettling. When things like this happen, I tend to react, striving for control and peace. What is your instinctive response?
Pause and ask yourself: Where am I now? Do I find myself anchored, steady, my hope in Jesus and at peace as I focus forward or am I feeling shaken, unsettled and tossed about?
I’m reminded of Jesus’s own words to His disciples just before He would sacrifice His life out of love for them and for us. He said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
When things are hard or I’m unexpectedly thrown off track, I am grateful for the encouragement of Paul and Jeremiah, and of Jesus Himself, who remind me where my strength, courage, and peace come from. Yet allowing this to influence my thoughts, words, perspective and actions in real-time remains for me hard to do. Perspective offered by Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychologist speaks to a space that exists between stimulus and response. When something happens (stimulus), we react (response). However, there is a space in between – however small – where we have a choice. In this space is an opportunity, with God's help, to choose our response rather than instinctively react. In this space - this choice - through prayer, trust, and making the Lord our hope and confidence, He can guide our choices and help transform our unhelpful reactions into intentional, life-giving words and actions. Sacred spaces.
Let us pray:
Gracious God, I am frustrated when life throws hurdles in my way. Some days are just hard. I thank you for being with me. Always. Lord, would you help me to remember your promises; the encouragement provided in your word. Lord, would you help me to plant myself firmly in you, to keep my heart tethered to yours so I can find sacred spaces amid the chaos, trusting that you love me and will strengthen me. Lord, would you help me see my patterns of reacting amid challenges that work against me and others, even against you. Would you help me to find the tiny space – the pause – when unexpected challenges come my way…to seek YOU in these spaces and trust you will help me choose your way of peace. Would you strengthen my faith, my hope in you, my confidence in your power to bring wholeness and peace to my heart, relationships, family, and the world around me. I love you and trust you. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
I wonder... Is loving Jesus the same as confidently hoping in Him?
How might I bring Jesus into my choices and responses as I go about my day?