"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
Sometimes the sun is hidden behind the clouds. Do we need to be reminded that it is there, even though it is unseen? We can feel its warmth and we can see its light even when we cannot directly see the sun itself. So it is with God. Even when He seems hidden from us, His hand is present. And sometimes we need to be reminded that even when He seems hidden, He is still there, dear one.
There are times in our walk that God seems so very present. We can feel His presence in our prayers and worship and as we engage with His word. We can see direct answers to prayer, and He seems to be revealing Himself to us in many ways. These times are precious and are the direct result of "abiding in Him," spending time soaking in His presence.
There are other times that He seems to be hidden from us. Sometimes during times of trial we feel that, like the sun hidden behind the clouds, our heavenly Father seems hidden from us. In these times we must remind ourselves that, just like the sun behind the clouds, He is still there! He still loves you and still has plans to give you a hope and a future!
He is still there! He still loves you and still has plans to give you a hope and a future!
The mountaintop experiences are wonderful, but it is in the valleys that faith is built. And it is our hope that enables us to move forward in Him. Hope is that powerful weapon that ensures us that, though we may not see it at the moment, He is there and has good things for us. It is in the trials, when He seems so absent and hope seems lost that we learn to cling stubbornly to hope, and in faith to continue forward regardless of circumstance.
This is the great victory, to continue forward in Him despite adversity. And through this to be joyful! To those who are currently in the valley, joy may seem a distant memory, but hope in Jesus won't disappoint. If we can cling to hope, and know in faith that God is truly there and that the breakthrough is right around the corner, then we are free to be joyful in hope. Patient in affliction. And always steadfast in prayer.
Cling to hope, dear one. The clouds will soon part and you will find that He was there all along.