Tag Archives: Hope

Faith, Five Minute Friday

When Longing Feels Like Forever: Finding Hope in the Season of Waiting

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“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” — Proverbs 13:12

There are seasons that come and go, and there are seasons which just never seem to end. Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in a season that just won’t end? Maybe it’s a season of waiting for healing, a breakthrough in a relationship, or an ongoing problem that needs resolving. 

At first, you hold on to hope. You pray. You believe that Spring is just around the corner. But as time passes by and answers seem distant, hope feels like an eternal Winter.

The writer of Proverbs knew this experience well. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” This verse speaks to that ache deep down within us when the thing we long for is not happening. Over and over again. The waiting is unbearable. It’s not just disappointment—it’s a weariness of the soul.

Folks, my soul is so weary. 

But the verse doesn’t stop there. It offers hope: “A longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” When our hope is realised, it’s like new life springing forth, renewing our spirit in a way that keeps us going. However, when we are in that season of waiting, it’s almost impossible to see how that tree of life will ever grow.

The Season of Waiting

The Bible is filled with stories of people who experienced long seasons of waiting. Abraham waited decades for the son that God promised him. Moses had to wait 40 years before leading the nation of Israel out of Egyptian captivity. When Jesus finally came, even He had to wait 30 years before His purpose and promise was fully realised. 

Waiting often feels like wandering through a wilderness without a map. We question God’s timing. We wonder if He has forgotten us. Yet, the very nature of longing brings a deeper truth: we were created to desire something greater than this broken world can offer.

The Hope of Christmas

Candle of Hope
Candle of Hope

So, where is this hope? (Spoiler alert – This is where Christmas comes in). The birth of Jesus is God’s ultimate answer to the long-held hopes of His people. For centuries, they longed for rescue. And here it comes, in a quiet stable in Bethlehem, their hope was realised. Jesus is the reminder that even when we don’t see it, God is always working to fulfil His purpose.

Christmas reminds us that no season of waiting is permanent. The same God who sent His Son into the world sees our waiting and our longing. While the solution may not arrive in the way or the timing we expect, the hope of Jesus is the tree of life we can cling to even in the longest, hardest seasons.

Holding on to Hope

As we celebrate Christmas, let’s allow the joy of Christ’s arrival to remind us that our longing isn’t forever. Our hope is not in circumstances, but in the unshakable truth that God is with us—Emmanuel. Even when we can’t yet see the tree of life, we can trust that it is growing, rooted in the promises of the One who came to give us eternal hope.

This Christmas, may you find peace in knowing that your longing is seen, your hope is not forgotten, and the God who fulfilled the ultimate promise will bring new life to your heart once again.

This post was originally written for the Five Minute Friday Community. This is where a number of writers gather for a weekly writing challenge around a single word prompt. We write to our hearts content, but only for five minutes (or there about).

This weeks word prompt is ‘long’. Click here if you want to see what other people wrote. You can also have a go yourself. What do you think of when you hear the word ‘long ’?

Abuse, Faith

We Deserve to be Free – Standing For Justice

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We deserve to be free

There is a subject that is rarely spoken about. It affects so many people in numerous ways, especially in churches. Don’t we deserve to be free from what holds us down? Then why avoid tackling a subject that holds so many people in chains? As a church, God calls us to bind up the broken hearted and set the captives free.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1

Personally, I feel God is calling me to take a stand against this “taboo” word.

What am I referring to?

Well, if you haven’t read any of my posts before, then this may come as a shock. (I touched on the subject in my previous post). I am taking a stand for those who have been sexually abused. Especially for those who suffered when they were children, just as I was. 

Far too many people feel ashamed when they suffer abuse and stay silent. Why should they? It wasn’t their fault. So, I have decided to step up, stand up and speak out and be a voice for those who feel they don’t have a voice. 

I have decided to step up, stand up and speak out and be a voice for those who feel they don’t have a voice.  #csasurvivor #standingforjustice Share on X

I choose to stand for justice for all those who have suffered sexual abuse. Not necessarily justice in the way of bringing the perpetrators to justice, although that would always be a better outcome. It’s also justice for survivors and the way we are treated in every day life. Whether in church or in hospitals or in our work setting. By doctors, nurses, pastors or our boss. The list is endless. 

Why is this important?

When we release the experiences of what we have been through in our lives, it is crucial to our healing to be treated and responded to in the right way. My experiences I have had over the years when I have shared about my past have varied quite a lot. I have found very few people really know how to react or treat a survivor of sexual abuse. People have either ignored, laughed at, or played down my experiences. People feel awkward and just don’t know what to say. 

When we release the experiences of what we have been through in our lives, it is crucial to our healing to be treated and responded to in the right way. #csasurvivor Share on X

My experiences I had this last week with an endoscopy procedure is a classic example of what victims and survivors of abuse face on a daily basis. I wrote a thread on Twitter about what I went through and asked a few questions to see if I was alone in the way I felt. The sad thing was, I wasn’t. 

Here’s my story…

The nurse asked me before my procedure if there were any questions. The endoscopy made me feel anxious. I shared with the nurse why I was anxious and mentioned I was sexually abused as a child. It took me a lot of courage to mention it to her. During the procedure I really struggled and started to panic. Afterwards, I asked the nurse if she had said anything to anyone. Her reply? She felt no need to.

What?? She felt no need to?

This left me feeling invalidated. How could you not feel the need to? The whole idea of me mentioning my sexual abuse was to feel reassured – especially if I panicked. I felt totally the opposite. 

By God’s strength I managed to pluck up the courage to speak to a senior nurse. I expected to be sidelined and passed off with some excuse. What happened next had me in tears. She listened. She actually listened. Every word I spoke she took in and was so reassuring. And then she apologised. It was not her doing, but she apologised. 

This is what should of happened in the first place. The system needs to change. People need to change. Anyone in a position where they tend to people’s wellbeing needs to know how to deal with trauma.

Far too many people have suffered when they experience sexual abuse. We shouldn’t need to carry on suffering afterwards. This is why I stand for justice for sexual abuse survivors.

What do you stand for?

Abide, Faith, Holy Week Reflections

LOCKDOWN-HOLY WEEK REFLECTIONS-DAY 7

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Lockdown Day 7

A couple of days ago, the news came through that lockdown is to be extended by another three weeks. Whilst this was to be expected, I guess we were all hoping there was a slim chance the waiting period would be over. More waiting. It’s this in-between-time which we find so hard. It brings about more uncertainty.

Over Easter, Holy Saturday is where the body of Jesus Christ lay in the tomb, and is the period of uncertainty. It is the moment of somber waiting. We find this waiting period the hardest part to experience. Reflecting on what was and wondering what is to come.

Wait and Be Patient

How can we wait patiently during a time of uncertainty, especially when the waiting brings feelings of anxiety or sadness. Paul gives us some pretty sound advice when it comes to waiting. His threefold advice is paramount to our emotional and spiritual well-being.

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

Be Joyful in Hope

Firstly, be joyful in hope. You’re probably wondering how we can have hope in our current situation, let alone joy. Experiencing hope and joy is not just about changing our mindset. We do actually have a reason to be hopeful, as well as joyful.

As Christians, we always have hope. Our hope is found in Jesus Christ, the One who defeated death. This should give us the right perspective we need in our current situation and therefore provide us with the joy we need. Do you want the good news? Everyone has access to Jesus as their Hope – not just Christians!

Do you want the good news? Everyone has access to Jesus as their Hope – not just Christians! Share on X

Be Faithful in Prayer

I’m going to skip the second piece of advice briefly and look into Paul’s third piece of advice. (You’ll see why in a minute – be patient 😊😉) Paul’s third advice is to be faithful in prayer. Keep praying – wherever we are, whatever we are doing and whenever we can.

Keep praying – wherever we are, whatever we are doing and whenever we can. Share on X

When we experience any type of suffering, we should pray whilst we wait for what we are hoping in. When we pray, it connects us with God. God hears us and understands what we are going through and He helps us. It doesn’t matter how we pray either. We don’t have to use big, posh words. He listens to all who communicate with Him.

Be Patient in Affliction

Now, back to the second piece of advice which Paul gave. This is probably the most hardest to carry out: Be patient in affliction. Oh my! How we are being tested to the max with this in the current crisis. Patience with our children, patience in waiting for answers, patience whilst maybe we are in pain. Patience with __________ (insert your own dilemma).

The second advice which Paul gives is easier to cope with if we are able to take on the first and third pieces of advice: Be joyful in hope and faithful in prayer. Those who are joyful in what they hope for their future and who pray to God continually will have a much easier time being patient through the hard times.

I’m not writing this from first hand experience. I’m the world‘s worst when it comes to waiting and find it really hard to find joy during the trials I experience. I am able to say this through watching how other people respond and react in their tough situations. I find it encouraging and it spurs me on to keep going in my own tough times with carrying out Paul’s advice.

My friend, Shelly Miller, is a great example of someone who is faithful in praying and has found joy in hope. In turn, she is able to be at peace in her current situation. In her own words, she writes this…

“I can tell you that even amidst dire reports from doctors, I’m experiencing unexplainable peace of mind and joy in heart.”

Shelly Miller, The Sabbath Society Newsletter

Something to think about…

Paul is not minimising the trials and hardships we go through in life, and neither am I. I know how hard life can be. I’ve had a fair share of unpleasantness in my own life. What Paul wants to point out is that if we keep strong in our faith, waiting patiently during this time of lockdown, the struggles we experience now will be worth it when we come through the other side with our hope in Christ.

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for the hope you have provided to us through your Son, Jesus Christ. We live in a world where waiting patiently doesn’t come naturally anymore. May we hold onto the truth that Jesus is the Hope we need which provides us with joy during our current situations. Thank you that you are always there with us whatever we are facing. May we remember to turn to you so in turn you can provide us with peace in mind and joy in heart. Amen.

Faith, Five Minute Friday, Write 31 Days Challenge 2018

Day 30 – Lord, Hear My Voice

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I have been through many waiting periods over the last 3 or so years. Every time I feel I go through the door from one waiting period, I then enter into another. I never know what is behind the next door.

Each new waiting period provides an answer to the previous one. But it then leaves me questioning whether I will get through the one I just entered.

What do I do with each new waiting period?

I have noticed when I find I’m in the depths of my difficulties, I cry out to God. And I mean cry out. Over the years I have also learnt to trust God. Trust He will provide a route to navigate a way out of the depths of my waiting. But most of all I have hope.

When you sink into a place so deep, you hit rock bottom. You realise you are in a place where nobody can reach you to help you out. I have learnt the only One you can turn to in times like these is God.

He is the only One who can provide a great deal of grace, masses amount of mercy, and a whole heap of hope. And Lord knows we need every bit of these we can get.

Psalm 130 describes a hopeful waiting in times of despair.

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

You are reading day 30 of the Write 31 Days Challenge in conjunction with The Five Minute Friday Community. Today’s word prompt is ‘voice ’.

Faith, Five Minute Friday, Write 31 Days Challenge 2018

Day 7 – Never Lose Hope

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I love the word, ‘hope’. Why? Because when you feel you have nothing left to cling onto, there is always hope.

Never lose hope.

Hope brings a positive expectation and a new confidence.

Wherever my story takes me, however dark and difficult the theme, there is always some hope and redemption, not because readers like happy endings, but because I am an optimist at heart. I know the sun will rise in the morning, that there is a light at the end of every tunnel. Michael Morpurgo

Hope 

Hope is hanging on when times are tough, 

Hope is finding good from something rough. 

Hope is a little light when you’ve had enough, 

Hope is what I need to get through stuff. 

 

Hope is holding on to something real, 

Hope is something that I want to feel. 

Hope is what I need to help me heal, 

Hope is what I need to break the seal. 

 

Hope is what carries me along the way, 

Hope helps me face the coming day. 

Hope keeps hindering thoughts at bay, 

Hope is what I need to help my past lay. 

© Lynne Cole 

You are reading day 7 of the Write 31 Days Challenge in conjunction with The Five Minute Friday Community. Today’s word prompt is ‘hope’.