Where Is My Hope? [Job 17]

¹⁵Where now is my hope?
And who regards my hope?

Hopelessness feels miserable. I vividly remember both times when hopelessness overwhelmed me. Once was in High School, the night before my 16th birthday and the other was in October 1975. Both times I considered dying as a way out and thought about how I might end my life. In High School, I took a bunch of headache pills laced with caffeine. Obviously, I didn't die, nor did I suffer any ill effects except that I didn't get any sleep that night. In 1975, I accepted Jesus as the Lord and Savior of my life. After Jesus became my hope there has been plenty of pain, but I have never felt so hopeless again that I considered taking my own life. God has taught me that putting my hope in things going my way leads to misery, while putting my hope in God results in peace and joy. By His grace, He can keep me in His peace as He prompts me to keep exchanging my feelings for hoping in Him.

We praise You, God that You, alone are the source of true hope. Cause us to grow in taking our feelings and situations to You that You may keep us hoping in You.

Beth Warlick, 1/25/2011