Having fresh hope for the new year doesn’t come easily for me.
Let’s be honest, we don’t all go bouncing into a new year enthusiastically, do we?
Sometimes we dive into the new year with celebratory excitement, and sometimes we tiptoe into it with cautious apprehension.
When You Fear the Unknown
Over the winter break, I took my kids to the local indoor pool.
Four of the five kids that accompanied me that morning, jumped right in without the slightest bit of hesitation.
Having been there before, they were familiar with their surroundings, and were aware that the water was warm and not terribly deep.
My 2 year old, however, stood at the edge, watching and waiting, as the others called to her from the water.
Slowly, carefully, she dipped her right foot in.
Then her left.
She waded there a bit, watching the others play to their hearts delight.
Once she determined that the water was safe, then— and only then— did she slip the rest of her body in.
For those of us who have experienced great hardship, I think going into the new year can be a bit like my daughter’s experience at the pool.
We stand at the precipice of the new year, looking out at the horizon, and approach it with caution.
Truly there is nothing we can do to avoid the inevitable. Eventually we will have to make the leap.
But that leap doesn’t always prove easy when you’ve been sobered by reality.
There’s much that I look forward to at the start of a new year.
A fresh, clean slate.
Invigorated intention.
Endless possibilities.
And there’s always that popular scripture about God making all things new! (Isaiah 43:18-19)
These are the things that make me giddy!
But, if I’m honest, there’s another side of me that looks ahead at all of the unknowns, and hesitates to enter in.
Call me grim, but having been introduced early on, to suffering and sorrow, I know that the future does not always look merry and bright.
On the contrary, this life is full of hardship and pain.
Rejection and betrayal.
Love and loss.
Illness and despair.
We have no way of knowing the details of what awaits us up ahead. And lacking that information can make us fearful of the future.
Even our best laid plans can never ensure us a year free of hardship or trial.
This life offers us no guarantees.
Lessons from Proverbs 31
I am both inspired and perplexed by the Proverbs 31 woman.
Scripture tells us:
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” — Proverbs 31:21
She laughs without fear of the future..
Doesn’t that sound wonderful? And a bit far-fetched, if we’re honest.
My question (and maybe yours too) is HOW do we look upon our future without fear of what it might hold?
As I pondered this, a closer look at the scriptures, revealed a startling discovery!
Where We Place Our Hope Matters
Jeremiah 17:7 reads:
“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, and have made Him their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat, or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and never stop producing fruit.”
Jeremiah reminds us that the Lord is our hope and our confidence.
And Him alone.
Not our circumstances.
Not things.
Not people.
Not our expectations.
But God, Himself!
The Promises of God
We are not necessarily promised an easy tomorrow.
Or a year without suffering.
Or a life without loss.
But what we ARE promised is just like the trees planted along the waters, we will flourish. And God will be our portion.
He alone will satisfy.
He alone will sustain us.
He alone will produce in us, that which nothing else can.
What’s more, is that He promises to go with us!
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” — Isaiah 43:2
Therefore, come heat or comfort..
Come famine or plenty..
Come joy or pain..
I put my Hope in the One whose very name is Hope!
Standing at the Precipice of Choice
We can stand at the edge of the waters of life with fear and trepidation, as we consider all that “could” go wrong, or.. we can slip ourselves under the watery surface, knowing that our Hope is secure in the One who promises His presence no matter what comes our way.
This year, I want my roots to go down deep into the soil of HOPE.
Forgetting what lies behind, and looking forward to what lies ahead. (Philippians 3:13)
Suffering is temporary, but hope is eternal.
May 2019 be the year we laugh without fear of our future!
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.” -Jeremiah :29:11
Jana says
YES! Excellent post! Thank you for being real and honest and open, but also bringing it all back to God’s Word. “In Christ alone, my hope is found!” I can so relate to how you’re feeling at the start of the new year. C. S. Lewis described how I’ve felt: “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
Rachel Lee says
Oh, I can certainly relate to C.S. Lewis’ thoughts! Thank you for the kind words.
Richard Lowe says
Are you in need of help to get your ex back and stop your divorce? I urge you not to cry no more for Dr Kala is the solution to your problem. Dr Kala is a powerful love spell caster who helps in getting ex back and stop divorce. He helped me to get my ex husband back after separation. My Husband packed out to live with his mistress and he sent me divorce papers. I tried all I could to get him back but he refused to return home and I suspected the lady used some magic spell on him to hold him down. I got to know about Dr Kala in a youtube comment where i was looking for help to get my husband back and i contacted him and explain my problem to him and he did the work and my husband return back home after 2 days and he apologies for the pains he put me through and we are living happily together for good. Here is Dr Kala contact Email: kalalovespell@gmail.com or WhatsApp +2347051705853 if you need his help to get your ex back and stop divorce. I will continue sharing this testimony to every platform so that whoever needs to go get his/her ex back should contact Dr Kala and he will help you to get your ex back.
Becky Beresford says
This was really good! I love the idea of rooting down into our true HOPE! Thank you for these words and the encouraging verses. They have some of my favs! :). Happy Hopeful New Year!
Rachel Lee says
To be Rooted in Hope, is my goal this year! Thank you. Happy New Year to you!
Beth says
Oddly enough, my reading for today was about how the mourners laughed at Jesus when He told them a little girl (who had died) was only asleep. Their laughter is something I don’t want to replicate, because it stemmed from doubt. But the laughter of the Proverbs 31 woman stemmed from faith in God! That’s the kind of laughing I want to do, Rachel! Great thoughts and so glad to have you back with us!
Rachel Lee says
Me too, Beth! Laughter born out of faith, not doubt. Amen!
Thank you. It’s good to be back! 🙂
Laurie says
Oh, such a good post! So comforting to know that God will be with us through despair and hardship, tribulations and anguish. Of course, He will be with us through joy and exhilaration too! Thank you for the reminder that “The Lord is our hope and our confidence”!
Rachel Lee says
He truly, truly is! Thank you for the encouragement, Laurie! 🙂
BettieG says
I love these thoughts: “Therefore, come heat or comfort..
Come famine or plenty..
Come joy or pain..
I put my Hope in the One whose very name is Hope!”
Oh yes, may I dive in boldly (I was just chatting with a friend about this very word) to what He has prepared for me. HE is my true hope! Thank you for these precious words today.
Rachel Lee says
Thank you Bettie! I’m so glad that they encouraged you! Praying you are inspired to dive into what He has in store for you, with courage and hope! Blessings. 🙂
Calleen Petersen says
We had a very difficult year last year. One of the hardest our family has ever had. But I’m turning that around and telling myself that if we could survive last year, 2019 can’t throw anything at us that is any worse than 2018 and we made it through that one with the help and grace of God.
Rachel Lee says
Calleen, I’m so sorry about your struggles last year. I’m praying alongside you, that God will be your shield and fortress, and whatever comes your way in 2019 or beyond, with His help, you will rise victorious!May He be your Hope and Comfort this year. (Hugs)
Timberley says
Suffering is temporary but hope is eternal. Absolutely loved that! Pinned to share with our Living Our Priorities community.
Rachel Lee says
Thank you Timberlake! Glad it encouraged you. 🙂
Karen Friday says
What a great message, Rachel. I, too, was introduced to hardships early on. But, yes, Jesus is our hope…nothing else.
It’s always amazed me the Proverbs 31 woman was able to laugh at the future. Yet, I want her trust and resolve in God and His sovereignty.
Something the Lord showed me a few years ago is this. We won’t know what all that will transpire this year…good, bad, or ugly. We can know this: God doesn’t change. We trust in His able hands, His firm promises, and His goodness.
Rachel Lee says
Amen Karen! I could not have said it any better!❤️
Leslie Newman says
So good! Here’s my favorite quote from above:
“We are not necessarily promised an easy tomorrow.
Or a year without suffering.
Or a life without loss.
But what we ARE promised is just like the trees planted along the waters, we will flourish. And God will be our portion.”
So very true. Thank you!
Rachel Lee says
Thanks for the encouraging words, Leslie. He is our portion!❤️
Lesley says
This is a great post! I definitely worry too much about the future. I find it far too easy to imagine all kinds of disaster scenarios! Remembering that our hope is in God and he is always with us definitely helps!
Cathy McIntosh says
I love your reminder that God doesn’t promise ease or comfort, but He does promise that we will flourish in Him! Great and timely post – I shared on Facebook with my readers 😊 Be blessed, Rachel.
Donna Richard Miller says
This is such a beautifully written post! Proverbs 31:25 has been a verse I cling to (I have it on my FB page also) and this post spoke right to my heart this morning! TY Cathy for your heart! God is so good! ❤
Mandy says
Yes! I put my Hope in the One whose very name is Hope!
This is truth. Hang on to this.
BELINDA says
Hello my name is Belinda i want to share my amazing experience with the greatest spell caster Dr irekenagba. my husband was cheating on me and when i found out we had a fight which lead to him filling for a divorce i cried and fell sick when i was searching about love quotes online i saw people talking about him and his great work whose case was similar to mine they left his contact info i contacted him and he told me not to worry that after 24hrs he will cancel the divorce and be back to me after i did everything he asked me to do to my greatest surprise the next day evening it was my husband he knelt down begging me to accept him back,thank you once again Dr irekenagba you are indeed a blessing to me he can also help you contact him on……..
WhatsApp: +2347059630655
email:doctorirekenagba@gmail.com
SCOTT WYCOFF says
Hi, did you know there are spells to win love back from an ex. I have done it. I love reading about relationships and how to make them work, how to better the relationship, and how to keep the spark alive, even how to talk to them a certain way to get them to think a different way about the situation and you. If you need advice or want to win your ex back, try DR EMU copy and message on the following ( Email: emutemple@gmail.com ) or ( WhatsApp: +2347012841542 ) It will change your mentality and get you what you want.
KIRSTEN BROWN says
Getting rib of Herpes virus wasn’t easy, I came across Dr voodoo on how he
has cured so many people from herpes and other illness so I decided to give
him a try, now am permanently cured using the natural herbs medication and
cleansing supplement sent by Dr voodoo no more herpes, contact Dr voodoo
WhatsApp number +2348140120719 also e-mail him at:
voodoospelltemple66@gmail.com
kate simon says
WOW…WOW…WOW.
I’m very grateful to DR BALBOSA for bringing my husband who left me for another woman, that moment my husband Left me I thought I lost everything until a friend in my place of work recommended me to a great spell caster called DR BALBOSA, I messaged him and told him the pain I was going through so he told me that everything was going to be fine, he prayed for me and also advice me to believe in myself and i was very optimistic for the best, he gave me some simple instructions to follow and i did all he said i should do.
To my greatest surprise and within 24 hrs., my husband came back home begging for my forgiveness, i was so happy because i love my man so much, i promise to share this miraculous testimony of mine to the world…you can contact his contact below…i am so grateful and God will continue to bless you DR BALBOSA…
WHATSAPP/PHONE CALL: + 44 7418 361 943
EMAIL: balbosasolutionhome @ gmail. com
Kaith Erin says
REAL LOVE SPELL CASTER ONLINE +19085174108
My husband divorced me 4 months back and I have been filled with remorse for I didn’t know what to do to amend issues with my husband. I searched for help on the internet on how I could get help in my marriage and I discovered great testimonies about Priest Jumba who has been progressive with his spells. I got in touch with him and behold, Priest Jumba told me that he will prepare a spell for me that will bring back my husband. I was skeptical but I had no other option but to work with him. 2 days later, my husband called me to say that he’s coming back home and from that day till this moment, we have been living peacefully. He is back now with so much love and caring. Today I am glad to let you all know that this spell caster has the power to bring lovers back and the most surprising thing is that our love is very strong now, every day is happiness and joy. and There is nothing like being with the man you love. If you have any problem contact Priest Jumba, i give you 100% g
Richard Lowe says
Are you in need of help to get your ex back and stop your divorce? I urge you not to cry no more for Dr Kala is the solution to your problem. Dr Kala is a powerful love spell caster who helps in getting ex back and stop divorce. He helped me to get my ex husband back after separation. My Husband packed out to live with his mistress and he sent me divorce papers. I tried all I could to get him back but he refused to return home and I suspected the lady used some magic spell on him to hold him down. I got to know about Dr Kala in a youtube comment where i was looking for help to get my husband back and i contacted him and explain my problem to him and he did the work and my husband return back home after 2 days and he apologies for the pains he put me through and we are living happily together for good. Here is Dr Kala contact Email: kalalovespell@gmail.com or WhatsApp +2347051705853 if you need his help to get your ex back and stop divorce. I will continue sharing this testimony to every platform so that whoever needs to go get his/her ex back should contact Dr Kala and he will help you to get your ex back.