Trials. We often describe them as storms—they can surround us, they blow back, they cloud our vision. Sometimes they are small, sometimes they are unbearable. Everyone has to deal with trials, even followers of Christ.
What do you do when you hear the worst news imaginable? When the bottom drops out of that phone call? That worst scenario. Where do you find hope in a time like that? It’s been said that men can live forty days without food, three days without water, eight minutes without air, but not one second without hope. Where do you find hope when you’re in the middle of a storm?
These are the opening lines of the award-winning film Hope for Hurting Hearts.
As Christians, we can rest in the hope we have in Christ. Hope for Hurting Hearts (narrated by James Dobson) tells the stories of how Greg and Cathe Laurie, Jeremy Camp, Nick Vujicic, and their families dealt with times of trial. The Lauries lost their son in an automobile accident. Jeremy’s wife lost her battle with cancer shortly after their honeymoon. Nick was born without limbs.
And yet, while “each of these individuals has stood at a ‘spiritual crossroads’ marked by challenging and painful circumstances…each has chosen the road of trusting, following, and glorifying God.”
You can find more information about Hope for Hurting Hearts at Harvest.org.
Ina Kruger says
February 14, 2014 at 9:17 pmNext to what my Master had to endure, Paul suffered much for the gospel.
2 Corinthians 11:24-30 KJV
[24] Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. [25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; [26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; [27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. [28] Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. [29] Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? [30] If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
Gayle Jideofor says
February 25, 2014 at 11:55 amI remember I time I thought my heart would absolutely break and I could bear the pain no longer. I simply asked the Father, ” Lord, what should I do seeing as I am feeling so much pain, like I could just die.” You will not believe the tender answer. I feel like this is the impression He answered me ” remember when you were unsaved, and lost? Remember a time just like now when you think you could not go on?” I replied YES! Then
He answered ” Now compare today’s pain to yesterday? Nothing now or ever will be as painful as then… when you were lost.” And that was it.
I cried the most greatful tears I could muster. I was so humbled by the HOPE that it is true. One day with JESUS is sweeter than a thousand elsewhere. And to be honest, trials and disaster have struck more than once since then, but I have since that day never experienced the physical pain or anguish of that one perfect day. Even in my sorrow He has never left me.