Even though God’s people celebrate resurrection and new life at Easter, maybe you feel like you’re hanging on to hope by the skin of your teeth? Maybe the hallelujah choruses at church ring empty for you. Perhaps spring’s messages of budding trees and flowers haven’t quite made their way to your soul.
Friend, maybe you’re struggling through yet another family crisis this Easter, and your hope has drained away. Has loss or sickness stolen your joy? Celebrating the Resurrection comes hard when our hope is all but dead. Yet God’s Word tells us He specializes in bringing the dead to life.
The hopeful message of Easter is this: your story isn’t over.
My story wasn’t over when the doctor told me I had rheumatoid arthritis.
That sounded terrible to a 27 year old who could hardly walk because it hurt too much. Months of being unable to do anything but the simplest tasks had eroded my hope, and I wondered if I’d ever have a normal, pain-free life.
Yet a year later, God mysteriously healed me. And today I’m a walking miracle. We can all look back at God’s redemption stories in our lives, but when we’re in the middle of a hard story now, holding onto hope is hard, isn’t it?
Jesus’ story wasn’t over when He hung on a cross dying.
And it wasn’t over when He was laid to rest in a tomb. God had already planned a miracle so astounding that no one could have imagined it. That one death was going to result in eternal life for countless millions of people.
Even if sickness, loss, or heartbreak has left you heartsick this Easter, your story’s not over.
How do you hold on to the hope of new life while you’re waiting for God to work?
1. Rest in God’s Resurrection Power
We don’t have to work in our own strength to solve our problems. The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives in us.
God’s word tells us He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. Friend, when you feel weak, remember that God’s power rests on you. Whatever your situation, God’s power will enable you to take that next right step. Your next right step might be:
- Making that hard phone call.
- Getting up out of bed.
- Going to the doctor one more time.
- Spending 10 minutes reading God’s Word to fuel your faith.
2. Remember Redemption
Let’s remember God has already redeemed us.
Colossians 1:13-14 says, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Our redemption from the grip of sin and death holds a promise not only for eternal life, but also for the here and now. No matter how hard the situation we’re living, we can always look forward to redemption because our God is in the business of restoring, redeeming, renewing. Throughout Scripture, we see God redeeming His people from slavery, reaching out to restore, rescue, heal, and deliver. That gives us the hope that He’ll do the same for us. He can turn any situation around for our good.
3. Keep Company with Christ
While we’re struggling to walk in God’s resurrection power and waiting for Him to redeem the hard things in our lives, let’s keep company with Christ. Revelation 3:20 tells us He stands at the door and knocks, waiting for us. Let’s open our doors wide and let Jesus in. Let’s keep our eyes and hearts fixed on Him as we go about our day, and let’s turn our worries and fears over to Him, one at a time as they come up in our minds.
Your story’s not over yet, friend. No matter what circumstance you face, God can redeem it.
So if you’re hanging on to hope by the skin of your teeth this Easter, take heart and breathe in deep. Your story’s not over. Your Redeemer lives. He’s making something far more beautiful out of your life than you could imagine. He is a God of miracles who brings new life out of death.
How has God rescued and restored you in the past? How does remembering that help you hold on to the hope of new life today?
If you’d like fresh servings of Faith Spilling Over delivered weekly to your inbox, enter your e-mail address in the box in the sidebar. I’d love to send you my free guide, 10 Days to More. You’ll find 10 ways to study and engage with God’s Word.
Linking up with Jennifer Dukes Lee’s #TellHisStory, Holley Gerth’s Coffee for your Heart, Crystal Storms’ #HeartEncouragement, Brenda Bradford Ottinger’s #ChasingCommunity, Lyli Dunbar’s #FaithonFire, and Arabah Joy’s Grace and Truth. Check out these communities for more encouragement.
What an incredible story, and such a great testament.
Thanks for the wonderful post and encouragement this morning.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
#Raralinkup
Thanks for stopping by, Jodie.
Your words are a blessing. I stopped and re-read point #1. Rest in God’s resurrection power. I don’t have to go it alone but find I make the choice to do the very thing that makes it more difficult. God can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. That sounds like hope to me!
Easter blessings to you and your family!
Thanks so much for your wisdom and encouragement, Mary. Point # 1 sounded like hope to me too! A Joyous Easter to you, friend.
I love how you remind us that because of His atoning sacrifice we can enjoy living in light NOW. We’ve been rescuED, deliverED, transferrED; all past tense, because It Is FinishED! “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect FOREVER those who are BEING made holy”. Hebrews 10:14. Works in progress we are, as we run the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the one who found joy as he endured the cross. What amazing hope!!! Hebrews 12:1-3❤️
Amen! Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Melinda! Just reading those scriptures you share here is like a shot of energy and hope! A Joyous Easter to you!
Beautiful message and up to date! Thanks for refreshing the resurrection power and what it means today for us.
Most of what I know, I think I’ve learned from you, Amorcito!
I love your story of healing! And I’m so grateful for the hope we have in Christ that pain and suffering are not the end of our story. Hope you have a lovely Easter!
I hope you have a joyful Easter too, Lesley!
Your story’s not over – oh, how I love this, Betsy. It’s true. Sometimes those battles make situations look bleak. But Jesus…. Just like the healing you experienced. Good tips for all of us to grab ahold of. Happy Easter, friend.
Happy Easter to you, too! Yes, I love remembering that our story is NOT over!
I didn’t know that you have RA, and I’m glad to know more about you through this post. I love Romans 8:11 and need to preach it to myself daily. Pinning and tweeting your wonderful post–Happy Easter to you!
I HAD it, Sarah! I no longer have it, and that is a miracle! I had a diagnosis and everything, and I REALLY AM a walking miracle.
Betsy,
Oh how we need to remember that the resurrection power of Jesus lives within us!! I’ve experienced miracles, and I’ve also experienced not being healed, but God is faithful to His promise that His grace IS sufficient! Sometimes not being healed draws us into #3 which is abiding in Christ’s presence and this is entirely good. Great reminders. Have a blessed and joyous Easter, Betsy!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Yes, me too, Bev! I’ve experienced both miracles and not-so-miracles, but both are faithful answers from God. Happy Easter to you, Bev!
Somehow I had missed that RA was part of your story in the past. What a great gift of movement and freedom God has given–a true symbol of the new life we all receive when we come to Him!
Yes, Michele! It is a great gift. Sometimes I can’t get over the fact that I can walk! 🙂 And you can too, right? What a gift. Happy Easter, friend.
Dear Betsy, when our first child died I felt like I had been rejected by God as a mother. (Visions of Hannah weeping and wailing at God) All these years later I can see He was carving out a much larger space in my heart that just the children born of my womb. It helps to remember when hope is tenuous at best, that the Lord ALWAYS has a best plan for our lives. Thanks and abundant blessings as you celebrate Resurrection Day!
Oh Alice, I’m sorry you lost a child. I cannot imagine such pain and grief. I’m sure you have a very large heart, indeed. Blessings to you too.
Praise God for your miraculous healing! Happy Easter!
Happy Easter to you too, sweet Kelly!
Oh, what comforting encouragement to read this morning! I am so thankful I saw your post, as I linked up at Lyli’s today! It was wonderful to read of how God miraculously healed you of RA and reminded me of the time He healed my dear Mom of rheumatic fever and polio. I am so thankful that Jesus is the same always, and He can still heal today. I needed this precious reminder. Thank you so much for sharing what God placed upon your heart. It was such a blessing to me! Have a wonderful, happy Easter!
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Cheryl. That’s amazing God healed your mom too. I always remember He doesn’t always heal miraculously, for reasons we can’t understand on this earth, yet I am so grateful He chose to heal me. May the Lord bless you this Easter and Spring!
Amen! Oh, Betsy! What a beautiful testimony! Holding on to resurrection hope despite the messes this world throws at us! That is everything! Easter blessings to you!
So thankful for redemption through Christ. Thanks for sharing this encouragement today, Betsy! Praise the Lord for your healing from RA. Happy Easter!
I love hearing testimonies of walking miracles. Thanks for sharing this, Betsy. “The hopeful message of Easter is this: your story isn’t over.” Amen!
Thanks for your encouragement, friend. I appreciate you!
Betsy, I didn’t know you had RA at one time! Praise the Lord that he healed you! Many of us are not so lucky. And yet, God used my illness to give me a ministry and your healing has given you the ability to do your overseas work. I’ve been out of the blog circle for awhile, but am getting ready to jump back in. I hope all is well with you. Praying for you, friend! Your blog post is so encouraging. I will be sharing it. 😊
Thanks so much for telling me about this; I didn’t know. May the Lord glorify himself in you, Linda. Glad you’re back into blogging. <3