Pain and Hope.

As human beings on this earth pain is inevitable. Whether its emotional or physical, everyone experiences pain in some way or another. It may be more evident for some people to see and for others they can be really good at hiding their pain with a mask. All around the world there is pain and yet all around the world there is great hope. This world has sickness, disasters, corruption and so much more. And yet there is healing, purpose, kindness and ultimately the truth of the matter is that hope is the medicine of pain. It is the unseen chance of things getting better. Hope changes things, it brings a strength to the soul and changes ones perspective. It is easy to look around and see all the pain in your life and in those around you and become filled with despair and hurt, but have a conversation with a child for five minutes and they will show you that life is to short to look at it with hopeless eyes. A child has the ability to see hope no matter what. They love unconditionally regardless of the pain they have known or scene in their lives.

I have known great pain in my life and have had moments where I just wanted to give up. I knew that there was a God that loved me unconditionally, but I did not understand why he would allow such great pain into my life. I was emotionally and physically drained and done with everything. The only reason I did not give up was that small, tiny, size of a seed chance that things may change, although it did not seem like anything was changing. I became so depressed that I lost the ability to love myself. I gave up on myself and those around me. The only word I can think of to explain my state at that point is, helpless. Over the years and after all the pain I have now realized that I would much rather choose to be hopeful and believe that God is for me and not against me, even after all those years. I can now look back and see how much it has shaped me into who I am today. I know that God is a God of hope and not despair.

I am still learning how to overcome pain and adversity. I would much rather look at the world and my life with the eyes of hope then to be helpless. It comes down to choice and the way that you see the world is usually how you see your own life. I am not saying I don't have hard times anymore by any means, but I am now hopeful when I do face challenges things can change and when it feels like the end, it is not.

Zechariah 9:12:

Return to your fortress prisoners of hope even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.