It’s hard to hold on to hope, when you’re waiting in the dark, doing daily combat with oppressing fears.
Sometimes, you listen to sermons, you read the Bible, you fight “the dark” for all you’re worth—clutching for truth as if your life depends upon it—because it does.
I have those days when I have a strong grip on hope. My feet are firmly planted. I’m on course.
I also have days, when it seems like the slightest breeze will send my ship off the edge of the world the way the ancient mariners once believed; days when I am weary in soul and tired of waiting for things to change.
Unrelenting trouble can be so exhausting.
What do you do when you’re just, too tired, to hold on anymore?
Nothing.
(Uh-huh, you heard right.)
You do nothing at all—because those are the days when the only thing you can do—is let His love wrap around you and hold on to you.
Listen, no matter how deep the hole you or I might find ourselves in, no matter how black our night looks—His mercy will be there.
His mercy is sometimes tough, sometimes tender, but always, always there.
New, in the middle of the night.
New, in the morning.
New, when I feel close to Him.
New, when I don’t.
No matter how dim hope’s candle burns…
He’s quietly there fanning it back into a flame.
I’ve learned a lot about hope walking through my dark valleys, and Jesus has taught me a lot, about the kind of encouragement that brings life. But mostly, He’s taught me that His love never, ever, lets go… no matter how long the darkness in my circumstances lasts.
Because of that?
I have learned to let go of my “why’s” letting Him plant the seeds for new hope in all of my soul’s dry and barren places.
Then, I can hold on to His hope when life gets HARD…
While He takes me in His arms… and we dance.
It wasn’t easy learning to accept His invitation to surrender, “Why?”
(That cry of pain put up a fierce fight in me!)
But, may I share with you?
There’s so much relief in the surrendering.
It’s peaceful in my soul now that all those “Why’s?” have had their say… and gone their way…
(And this dancing in the Arms of Grace has made me strangely… hopeful.)
Perhaps I am finally at long last—learning to trust Him with everything. Not just the easy stuff, but all the gut-wrenching questions, He only answers with His own eloquent silence.
It is curious how His silence stills all my questions… while speaking VOLUMES to my soul.
It is odd and peculiar, how I am learning about this powerful love of His, by walking through dark valleys of pain and loss…
Stranger still, the way He keeps whispering, “For such a time as this…”
VALLEY OF TROUBLES
When My hand lifts you up many will criticize and condemn.
Many will say, “Who is this?”
(Never mind.)
As I lift you up and put you firmly in your place, I want you to remember, that a prophet is never accepted in his own land.
Many will say you don’t deserve My favor. Many will accuse you of things you have not done.
(Never mind.)
It is part of the cost.
To be chosen for such honor will cost you dearly.
This is why you have gone through this Valley of Troubles.
All the lies, and false accusations; all the scorn and slander; it is only a fortaste of what is yet to be endured.
You have wanted many times to ask Me, “Why?”
(You have let the question die in your throat.)
Well, My child, this is why… training, toughening, and tenderizing.
(To be given so much blessing requires very refined graces to carry.)
Your schooling will soon be complete; lessons soon over.
Preparation for all that is ahead is essential for your balance.
You will be grateful in days to come.
You will thank Me over and over for bringing you through this valley.
As I take your life, and transform it from an agony to an ecstasy, and others gather to exclaim, “Who is this?”
You and I will look each other full in the face, smile, and say, “…a door of hope!”
“…He personally will come and pick you up, and set you firmly in place, and make you stronger than ever.” 1 Peter 5:10
Women With Destiny 