And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:3-4
Grief and sorrow are moments of great trials. Some people are able to go through such trials like a ship parting the sea. They have steadfast spirit of faith that can weather the severe storms. They mount up with wings like eagles. Even though they carry the burden and the weight of their sorrow, they have learned the path of hope. We often refer to these things as the light at the end of the tunnel. The Beacon of Hope. In the book of Hebrews, the Bible calls this the anchor of the soul. (Hebrews 6:19)
The question remains: How do we get this steadfast hope which will root us in the place of faith when the trial of grief and sorrow assail us. Waiting until the moment of the trial is a mistake that we often make. We need a head start. We need gas in the tank for the journey. We need the spiritual food that Elijah had in his moment of despair. The angel touched him and said, "Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you." (I Kings 19:7) Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, said, "Your words were found and I ate them. And your words became to me the joy and the rejoicing of my heart." (Jeremiah 15:16)
The people that have found the Path of Hope in the midst of the sea are those who have found Him in His word. They hold on to the exceedingly great and precious promises of the God who cannot fail and cannot lie. They abide in the shadow of the Almighty and have learned how to be sustained in hope. They have been through many smaller trials and have learned the key principle of casting their burdens on the Lord and being found steadfast and immovable by doing so. When the great trials come, they have the fortitude needed to stand.
It is the Word of God that will increase our faith. It is the word of God that will give us hope. It is the Word of God that will show us the experiences of the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us in faith in the face of overwhelming grief and sorrow. The Path of Hope lies within us only if we have filled our hearts and minds with His precious promises. His word will be our confidence and strength that will give us the steadfast hope--the Anchor of our soul.
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