Sometimes stepping out into a new year as a book of blank pages feels intimidating. While we anticipate new and exciting experiences, apprehension of new hardships lingers in the background. Even as a new year infuses us with expectation, thoughts of holding onto Hope in Hard times tinges our enthusiasm with doubt.
Though facing the new beginning of a new year with God should fill us with confident Hope, we wonder when the hard times hit, if He will be enough.
We live in a fallen, broken world. Relationships end, health fails, jobs and finances dwindle; we know 2023 holds trials, but the uncertainty of the “how” and “when” keep us fearful. Holding onto Hope in hard times is something we all desire but feel skeptical we can accomplish.
hard times are certain
In some ways, despite our desire of forgetting what lay behind in the previous year and looking intently at a new beginning, (Philippians 3:13-14) we sail into a new year on the same wave which carried us out of the old one.
Opening my eyes on January first seldom finds me with a brand-new mindset and future compared to the one possessed when closing my eyes on December 31st.
A tick of the clock and a turning of the calendar page actually change very little.
Yet how many times the thought, “everything will be different this year” surfaces with a glance at the new calendar year?
As if certainty of success rested with a new beginning.
We all experience the same pang of disappointment with the first hard stop of the new year, as we realize facing hard times becomes one of the few certainties of the new year.
holding onto hope in hard times
If facing hard times becomes one of the few certainties of a new year, then holding onto Hope emerges as the only sure route for bearing those trials well.
The only way of holding onto true Hope rests in holding onto the God of Hope.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
For only then can we find joy and peace in the midst of the hard paths we encounter in 2023.
As I face the uncertainty of a recent health crisis and the unknowns of waiting, further testing, and consultations, I look to these five unshakeable reasons for holding onto the God of Hope in the hard times I face.
Hope in God’s Good Plans
Always good, God’s plans for me have an expected end. Designed to continue conforming me to the image of Christ, they also build deeper intimacy with Him. (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:29).
When tempted to see the hard paths as punishment or God’s indifference, I safely rest in God’s good and perfect plans for me.
Hope in God’s Abundant Goodness
Lavishing His abundant goodness upon me as His child delights my Heavenly Father. Not just a few blessings, but abundant blessings remain stored up for all who love and fear God. (Psalm 31:19)
Remembering God’s infinite goodness stored up for me, I can view the hard places as times of blessing rather than times of scarcity.
Hope in God’s Purpose
God never acts without purpose or plan. Though His ways are not my ways, His purpose for me in every path He chooses will always be fulfilled. (Psalm 138:8, Isaiah 55:8-11, Romans 8:28)
No matter how painful or frustrating my trials seem, I rest in God’s good purpose in them and His promise to fulfill all His will for me.
Hope in God’s Presence
Promising never to leave me, God also goes before me into every trial. Nothing I face in the coming year will be apart from God’s Presence. (Deuteronomy 31:8)
When the path seems dark and lonely, I have only to lean into God’s Presence for all fear and discouragement to flee.
Hope in God’s Unfailing Love
Eternally steadfast in His love, God promises His unfailing love will never depart, nor His covenant of peace remove from my life. (Isaiah 54:10)
Though my world turns upside down, or others choose to stop loving me, God’s unfailing love remains lavished upon me.
holding onto god in hard times
Truly, holding onto Hope in hard times, means holding tightly to the God of Hope.
Yes, a new year brings wonderful new possibilities and the certainty of encountering hard paths. But trusting in God’s perfect plans, goodness, purpose, presence, and unfailing love, breathes Hope into our hearts infusing every situation with God’s perfect Peace.
Ultimately, we can confidently face the future of a new year knowing nothing we face will ever separate us from the love of our faithful Heavenly Father. (Romans 8:38-39)
If you enjoyed reading this post, there’s more! Sign up for my monthly newsletters; a little slice of serenity delivered right to your inbox! As my “Thank-you” you will receive my FREE “Hope in Hard Times Guide” for signing up!
Donna, this is just want I needed to hear today. I feel really encouraged by your words here. Sending healing touch prayers your way my friend.
Praise God, Paula you found such encouragement here today! He knows exactly what we need! I am so very grateful for your prayers my sweet sister!
Donna, thank you for ministering to my heart and how to hold onto hope in hard times. We are blessed that God walks alongside us on this journey through the good and the hard. Prayers of comfort and strength to you my friend.
Deborah, I praise God His words ministered to your heart today! I do praise Him for His constant Presence and comfort especially on the hard paths!
I so sorry that you are dealing with a health crisis, Donna. I pray that the truth of Duet. 31:8 (which also happens to be my favorite verse) will comfort and carry you through the coming days and weeks. ❤️
Thank you, my sweet friend, for your kindness, prayers and encouragement!
Keeping on turning toward hope is an intentional action, isn’t it? I kind of see it as developing the “hope muscle.” Trust in His bigger plan, what we do not know or see, or may never know in this lifetime. Thanks for sharing the scripture verses on hope, too. Daily they are ones I could be turning toward much more!
Lynn, I agree, as we keep turning towards Hope, we develop that muscle memory, and it becomes more natural. I like the connection you draw between Hope and trust. We cannot really have Hope without trusting in God’s bigger plan.
Yes, I’ve found God is definitely not only a very present help in trouble but a very pleasant One Donna.
I’m saddened to hear you’re struggling with health problems sweet friend. I pray the test results will come back good.
Blessings, Jennifer
Jennifer I love the way you phrase that! God IS a very PLEASANT help in time of need!
He is a God of Hope, Donna, and there is nothing like His Presence. He brings hope and comfort, love and rest, and a peace that passes all understanding.
Amen, Lisa. And there is nothing like a trial to drive us right where we find the most comfort: in His arms.
Just what I needed to read this morning! We’re holding on to hope in the face of a new diagnosis of cancer (Pedro’s). God has carried us through in the past, he will carry us through this, too.
Praise God, Anita these words were a balm to your heart today. I am so sorry to hear of yet another cancer diagnosis for Pedro. Thank you for your strong testimony, may the God of all comfort and Hope hold you both close in the days ahead.
Donna, I’m sorry to hear that you are not feeling well. Waiting can be a hard season. May the God of all hope and comfort scoop you up in His arms and carry you through with a tenderness that cradles you close to His loving heart.
Thank you, Linda, you are always so kind and encouraging, sweet sister! Your loving prayer lifted my heart today!
I don’t worry that God won’t be enough—but I worry about how hard, painful, and inconvenient the hard times will be, even with Him. Yet I know He has a purpose in the hard, painful, and inconvenient, and He uses those things to accomplish our growth. And He faced all of those things on the cross. I take comfort in something Elisabeth Elliot used to say–that God will give grace for our hard times when they come, not ahead of time, and not for how we imagine they will be. His grace will be there for every trial that may come.
Barbara, I am right with you! Your words remind me of a C.S. Lewis quote I keep in my journal, “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.”
But YES! there is always purpose in that pain, which is why we can have unshakeable Hope. Love the words of Elisabeth Elliot!
“The only way of holding onto true Hope rests in holding onto the God of Hope.” And hope in Him will never disappoint for He is faithful, good, just, merciful, and full of love. We can find hope as we remember the character of our good God.
Donna, I will be praying for you. May the Lord bring you through your health crisis, the unknowns of waiting, further testing, and consultations.
Joanne, so true, when we place our Hope in God, we are never disappointed. I am learning how God’s love holds us in His unshakeable Hope. I so appreciate your prayers, my dear sister!