Hope Walks Alongside

From our Ask The Experts Contributor Debra Fileta

With heads hanging low, tearful eyes looking towards the ground, they walked the dark road of despair. Quietly discussing the events of the past few days, the deep feelings of confusion and disappointment combined in the depths of their souls.

They had believed so strongly. They had hoped so steadily. They had waited all their lives for this. They had invested everything in this One, this one who would save them. And now he was gone. The one who had promised to be their Way, their Truth and their Life was now dead. And their dreams died alongside of him. There was nothing left to hope.

To many of us, the disappointment and despair of these disciples is a familiar and dull pain. How often have we uttered the phrase “We had hoped…”?

We had hoped to be married by now.

We had hoped to be carrying a baby in our arms.

We had hoped for a different diagnosis.

We had hoped for more time.

We had hoped for a miracle.

We had hoped…

In the face of loss, tragedy, and struggles, so many of us understand the feelings of walking aimlessly, teary-eyed, with nothing left to hold on to. Finding ourselves trusting in this One, and hoping that he would come through as he said he would; investing our hearts, our time, and our very lives. Giving our all to believe, to dream, to hope.

And then the moments come where that hope is destroyed. Every dream buried. Every wish and expectation shattered. There is nothing left to hope.

Death wins.

Rejection is familiar.

Disappointment echoes.

Fear reigns.

Depression sinks in.

Worry abounds.

Guilt destroys.

Anger grows.

Hopelessness encompasses.

Sorrow walks alongside.

“How foolish you are, how slow of heart to believe…

The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name…to all nations”

But all along, HOPE was walking beside them. They thought they were traveling alone. They were wrong. He had shattered their despair; wiped away their tears as he himself felt the agony of their pain. He had gone to the depths of Hell in order to offer them Heaven. In the midst of their hopelessness, he came to embody their Hope once more.

Life is victorious.

Joy is familiar.

Acceptance echoes.

Confidence reigns.

Peace sinks in.

Love abounds.

Power grows.

Strength encompasses.

Hope walks alongside.

No matter what circumstances this life may bring, we must put our hope in nothing less than Jesus. We may ask for healing, for miracles, for relief. We may plead for that need, that blessings, and for that favor. But we put our hope, only in Jesus. The Hope who will never let us down. The Hope that reminds us that life may disappoint, but He that will always be victorious over our disappointments. The Hope that always walks alongside.

Q: How has hope journeyed with you in times of sorrow?

Pray on these things:

• That you would trust that Jesus goes with you even when you feel alone
• That you might believe that hopelessness doesn’t last forever
• That your eyes might be opened to the Risen Christ anew

DEBRA FILETA is a Licensed Professional Counselor, national speaker, relationship expert, and author of Choosing Marriage and True Love Dates, and Love In Every Season, and Are You Really OK? and Married Sex. She’s also the host of the hotline style Love + Relationships Podcast. Her popular relationship advice blog, TrueLoveDates.com, reaches millions of people with the message of healthy relationships.