Hope from Having the Right Perspective

Today is a gift. Steward it wisely.

You are alive today, because God is merciful.

Nevertheless for thy great mercies’ sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God. Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.Nehemiah 9:31-32

But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.Psalm 78:38

Tomorrow is not promised.

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.James 4:14

God has not finished His purpose in you yet.

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:Philippians 1:6

God is aware of your suffering, is leading you through it and walking with you.

Compassion: deep awareness and sympathy for one’s suffering. Hebrew word here (rahamim) is a the same word used in Hebrew for “womb” This gives the idea of the tender care of a mother.

The idea of God as a disconnected disciplinarian or an absent father goes against His biblical character.

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.Psalm 86:15

Walking through difficulty takes place one day at a time.

You cannot rush the growth cycle.

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.Psalm 30:5

We must choose where we find strength.

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.Psalm 18:2

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?Psalm 27:1

Begin strength training.

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.Proverbs 24:10

We must master the art of faith-filled self-talk.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.Psalm 42:5

Negative, False Fear-Filled Self Talk

I don’t deserve this.
I am so alone. I don’t know how I’m going to make it 6 days/weeks/months/years from now. I don’t know what to do or how to make it through this. I don’t have what I need to make it through this. No one understands what I’m going through. This is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.
I need some resolution to this today, because I can’t wait.

Faith-Filled Self Talk

I’m better off than I deserve. (v.22) God is with me. (v.22) God has promised me the strength for today. (v.23) God is faithful. (v.23) Jesus is enough. I can trust Him. (v.24) I’m looking forward to seeing how God is glorified in this situation. (v.25) Waiting on God is actually good for me. (v.26)