Personal Lessons in Biblical Hope

I recently wrote a paper on Biblical Hope. I believe that the source of this hope is Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 1:1) , and I define biblical hope as a confident anticipation that God will keep His promises, thus providing the way to joyfully continue forward in any circumstance. This is an exerpt from the section I entitled Applicaton 2: Personal Lessons in Biblical Hope.

Biblical hope has been a very real topic to me since November, 2005. My family has served in Sinaloa, Mexico on the mission field for six years. We have become very close to our national ministry partners, Carmen and Norberto. They are like a second mother and father to me, and their two little girls, Rebeca and Elda are as close to me as my own sister. In November, 2005, I was told that Rebeca, age seven, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor, placing her in critical condition. What followed were four months of coma – four months of uncertainty about what the next day would hold in precious little Rebeca’s life. I believe that this is the first time in my life that I had to question God’s plan in such a personal way. I have had grandparents pass away, but why would God allow this to happen to a little seven year old?

At first, the temptation that I succumbed to was a focus on the present, on the horrible situation that was taking place. I was both bitter and confused, understanding that God is sovereign, yet unhappy with his choice. I was, like Peter on the waves, in danger of sinking to my end if I did not cry out to the Lord in this time of need. The waves of the situation were overwhelming, and as far as I could see, God was messing up. This was probably the worst spiritual valley I have experienced in my faith.

Thankfully, I was able to be lifted up by my brothers in Christ, who encouraged me to focus on God’s promises, and not the situation at hand. When I began to realize that God was trying to show me many things through this situation, my perspective began to change. I remembered that this life is temporary, and that some day we will be with God, and His plan will have come to pass in perfect order. I remembered Isaiah 55:9-10, that God’s thoughts are much higher than ours. This helped me to trust that God knew what He was doing. When I shifted my focus from the “waves” to the “Maker of the waves”, I found peace for my soul. Rebeca has improved, but not completely. It's still very hard to see her this way, but when I remember the promise that God is a very present help in our time of need, and that he knows those that come to call on Him, I find hope.

From the Conclusion:

May those who seek to find hope outside of the Savior realize the futility of their endeavors, turn to the only Source of true hope, Jesus Christ, and rest in the promises of the Savior. May those who have received the gift of Christ’s love live their lives in confident anticipation of the fulfillment of God’s promises, encouraging and empowering the believer to live for His glory.