Hints of Hope…
I want to share a transparent reflection on a journey I have been walking recently. For some time now, I have been dealing with some physical health and mobility challenges. If I am being entirely honest, there have been moments during this trial where I found myself throwing “pity parties.” I found myself wrestling with deep questions: Is the Lord going to heal me? What is happening to my body?
This season has truly forced me to examine the depth of my trust in God. Yet, through every single doubt, God has consistently proven Himself strong and faithful.
Whenever my faith begins to waver, the Lord beautifully sends a word, a confirmation, or a timely reminder to let me know He hears me. I call these moments my “Hints of Hope.”
The first hint came during a recent worship service. As the evangelist was praying over the congregation at the end of her sermon, she spoke a specific word that I knew, without a doubt, was directly from the Lord to me. She had no earthly way of knowing what I was going through or what I was contemplating in my heart. The Lord spoke right through her to meet me in my exact need.
The second hint arrived through a family member. For a while now, I have been meditating on 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Recently, a relative—someone I don’t even speak with very often—reached out and sent me that exact scripture. Out of all the verses in the Bible, she sent the very one anchored in my heart. I was absolutely blown away. It was another undeniable hint of hope.
What I want to say to you all today is this: God is faithful to the faithful. Psalm 18 We can rest in the absolute certainty that our Father sees everything we go through. He is full of grace, overflowing with mercy, and rich in understanding. Our God is love, and there is no love greater than His. For that, I am profoundly grateful.
This affliction has also taught me a deeper lesson about human nature and our constant need for grace. Recently, I had to undergo a medical test. That day I felt much better. It felt wonderful to do normal things again, so I drove to a restaurant to pick up some food. As I was pulling in, I got stuck behind a car driving incredibly slowly. Their license plates showed they were from out of town, and they were likely just lost or looking for the restaurant. Despite just being filled with gratitude, I became agitated almost instantly. I started muttering, “Hurry up, hurry up, what is taking you so long?”
In that exact moment, the Holy Spirit convicted me. I saw my own heart clearly. When I was weak and hurting, I was as humble as could be. But the second I got a little bit of my strength back, I allowed impatience and pride to take over. I had to immediately ask the Lord to forgive me and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
It is so easy to praise God when we are healthy and strong, but how will we respond when we are afflicted? Conversely, how quickly do we slip back into our old, selfish ways the moment relief arrives? We are a broken people, and the only cure for our nature is God Himself.
Friends, if you find yourself in a season where you are questioning your circumstances, let me encourage you: God sees you, and He knows your pain. Place your trust in Him and daily seek His face. We cannot afford to spend a single day out of communion with our Heavenly Father. We must stay in His presence and keep Him first in all things.
And if you have never asked Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior, I urge you to do so today. It is, without a question, the very best decision you will ever make.
For God’s Glory
Tahnee
