Day 20 - A Hopeful Heart

Listen To The Podcast

A Hopeful Heart - Mike Mylin

In my experience, my suffering isn’t measured against the suffering experienced by others. The intensity of my own suffering is only measured against my own background. In a season where things are going well, fumbling my morning bagel to watch it land butter-side down can feel like quite an undeserved injustice. In a season after losing a loved one unexpectedly, almost everything else fades in importance by comparison.

God knows that we suffer. God cares about our suffering. And most importantly, God uses our suffering to bring good things to both us and to others.

This Christmas marks 12 years since my dad passed away unexpectedly on the day before Christmas.

It was a beautiful morning. He was out with a neighbor who was a “hawk hunter”. I have since learned that a hawk hunter is not someone who hunts hawks, but rather someone who collaborates with a trained hawk to hunt squirrels and rabbits. My dad had never been on such a hunt and was eager to observe. Heading out for a morning walk, my dad had no idea that this day would be his last. He was never sick and on no medications.
His heart gave out and that was the end.

I often reflect on the words of Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians: “We do not grieve like people who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Paul said that we have knowledge about what happens to followers of Jesus after they die and this knowledge changes how we view suffering and death.

My own experience resonates with this truth. I still mourn the loss of my dad. I suffer as I move on in life. But I do it differently from those with no hope. Hope matters. So what is this hope that makes the difference?

Jesus came as a light into the darkness. He gave physical sight to the blind, but more importantly, he opened spiritual eyes to see a reality beyond our current circumstances. Jesus was constantly talking about the kingdom of heaven. He wanted us to know that there is more. He wanted us to live in a constant state of hope–meaning expectation and desire.

In his death, Jesus knew deep suffering. His followers experienced three days of suffering, heartache and confusion. But Jesus’ resurrection is the hingepoint of history. It changed everything. He turned suffering into joy, heartache into peace, and confusion into confidence.

Because of what Jesus did, we see our own suffering as real, but temporary. We can look forward with hope because we know there is more of the story yet to be told. For those of us who put our trust in the saving work of Jesus, every story ultimately has a happy ending for we are promised an eternity in the presence of God himself, reunited with our loved ones and the entire family of God.

I am praying that today you can find joy in your suffering and hope in Jesus.

Scripture Reading: Romans 8

Spiritual Practice

Read 1 Peter 1:3-9 out loud.

Go back & read the passage a second time - let the words and phrases that engage you become an invitation to dialogue with God. Write them down.

Read the text a third time - what is God saying to you through these words, and what do you want to say to Him?

Read the text one last time - allow the words & phrases that have stood out to you to become a prayer in this moment. Be still & invite God to speak.