Why do people need encouragement? People are always pleading and asking God to say something! There are powerful reminders of God’s love—Christmas Day is a reminder of the birth of Christ, bringing hope to all. Easter is a celebration of His resurrection from the grave after His sacrificial death. These days come every year, what about the rest of the year when you’re struggling to find hope? What reminds you of God’s love?
You can find hope in God, even in your darkest hour. When you’re at your lowest, on your knees, and feel you can’t sink any deeper, you can only look up! God is always there, ready to say something. “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). God brings beauty to a hurting world, and no matter what challenges you face, you have the promise of eternity.
When you feel hopeless, remember that the Bible is full of characters who were hopeless but found God and began serving Him. David is the perfect example because he fell so far, yet God redeemed Him and called him a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22). Read through John 15:1-6. Do you understand that you have to turn to God and serve Him to have a fruitful life? Verse 5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
When you’re tempted to let your hurting heart control you, remember this! Sometimes your heart is being pruned, which leads to hurt. But hurt leads to growth. Everything you go through has the potential to lead you closer to your Maker. Instead of questioning everything that happens to you, approach life with the expectation that God is there to help you carry burdens (Matthew 11:28-30) as you strive to serve Him.