Life often feels like a rollercoaster of emotions, doesn’t it? One moment, we’re basking in the sunshine of joy and contentment, and the next, we’re plunged into the depths of sorrow and despair. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when the storm clouds gather, blocking out the light and leaving us in darkness. But what if I told you that even in our darkest moments, hope is still there, shining brightly above the clouds?
This interplay between lament and hope is beautifully captured in the book of Lamentations, particularly in chapter 3, verses 19-24. Here, we see a raw and honest expression of grief, followed by a powerful declaration of hope. Let’s explore this passage and see what it can teach us about finding hope in the midst of our struggles.
The author of Lamentations, believed to be the prophet Jeremiah, begins by pouring out his anguish: “The thought of my affliction and my homelessness is wormwood and gall! My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me” (Lamentations 3:19-20, NRSVue). We can feel the weight of his despair in these words. He’s witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem, his beloved city, and the exile of his people. His world has been shattered, and he’s not afraid to express his pain.
How often do we find ourselves in similar situations? Perhaps not witnessing the destruction of our city, but facing personal losses, disappointments, or challenges that leave us feeling broken and hopeless. It’s important to recognize that these feelings are valid. We shouldn’t try to suppress or ignore our grief. Lament is a biblical practice, reminding us that it’s okay not to be okay sometimes.
But here’s where the story takes a remarkable turn. In the very next verse, Jeremiah writes, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope” (Lamentations 3:21, NRSVue). In the midst of his despair, he makes a conscious choice to shift his focus. He looks beyond his immediate circumstances and remembers a profound truth about God’s character.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NRSVue).
These words might sound familiar to you. They form the basis of the beloved hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” written by Thomas Chisholm in 1923. Chisholm’s life was marked by struggles with poor health and an inability to maintain a steady career. Yet, despite these challenges, he found hope in God’s unchanging nature and constant love.
This is the crux of the matter: hope doesn’t deny or erase our pain. Instead, it gives us the strength to live within it. Hope is not blind optimism or pretending everything is fine when it clearly isn’t. Rather, it’s a deep, unshakable trust in God’s love and faithfulness, even when we can’t see or feel it.
Think about it like this: have you ever flown on a cloudy day? From the ground, the sky might look dark and gloomy. But as the plane climbs higher, suddenly you break through the cloud cover, and there’s the sun, shining as brightly as ever. The sun didn’t go anywhere; it was always there, hidden from our limited perspective.
In the same way, God’s love and faithfulness are constant, even when obscured by the storms of life. They don’t depend on our circumstances or feelings. They’re as sure as the sun rising each morning, bringing new mercies with it.
Jeremiah concludes this passage with a powerful declaration: “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him” (Lamentations 3:24, NRSVue). In other words, when everything else is stripped away, God remains. And because God remains, we can have hope.
This doesn’t mean our problems will magically disappear or that we’ll never feel sad or discouraged again. But it does mean we have an anchor for our souls, a reason to keep going even when life feels overwhelming.
So how can we apply this in our daily lives? Here are a few suggestions:
1. Practice honest lament: Don’t be afraid to express your pain and frustration to God. He can handle it.
2. Choose your focus: Like Jeremiah, make a conscious effort to remember God’s faithfulness, especially when you’re feeling low.
3. Look for daily mercies: Challenge yourself to notice the small ways God shows His love each day.
4. Hold onto hope: Remember that your current circumstances don’t define your future. God is still working, even when you can’t see it.
5. Share your story: Your journey of finding hope in difficult times could be an encouragement to others facing similar struggles.
Life will always have its ups and downs, its sunny days and its storms. But as we learn to hold both lament and hope together, we can navigate these seasons with grace and resilience. We can be honest about our pain while still trusting in God’s unchanging character.
So the next time you find yourself in a storm, remember: the sun is still shining above the clouds. God’s love is still constant, His mercies are still new every morning, and there is always, always reason for hope.
As the old hymn reminds us: “All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.” May these words become more than just lyrics, but a lived reality in our lives, sustaining us through every season.
