“… Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5b)
Have you ever been so beaten down that you lost hope for things to get better? Have you ever cried out to the Lord for help and a new beginning?
If so, I’m with you. In 2008, my husband and I purchased a new home in a safer neighborhood without selling our original home first. We thought we could sell the first home quickly, but it did not sell. We were able to pay the bills. However, it was a very difficult time. I felt like all our dreams were flying out the window along with each month’s mortgage payments and utility bills. I plunged into discouragement, then depression, then despair. I felt hopeless. I tried to be strong, but I failed miserably.
After two and a half years, I could no longer endure the battle. I told the Lord:
“Father, I can’t handle this. If You want to take everything we have, it’s Yours anyway. So Father, take my whole life. Every part of it is Yours, and I will trust You with it. Just give me Yourself.”
When I finally gave up and began to trust God with every part of my life, our precious Heavenly Father gave me rest. I had been so weary and upset, but He gave me peace. I had been utterly downcast, but He gave me hope again. A new day dawned in my heart, and two months later the nightmare was over. The Lord brought us someone to rent our house, and that house has been a blessing to us ever since.
Have you also been going through something that has wreaked havoc on your life and emotions? Do you need comfort, peace, and hope again?
If so, I’d like to share one of the passages that I clung to during my own dark night of the soul. It’s found in Isaiah 43:18-19, and it says:
“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
I don’t know how many tears you have cried, but our Father knows. I don’t know what you have been through, but He does. What I do know, from my own difficulty and failure, is this: Your problems have a shelf life. Weeping is not forever. There is joy on the other side, and your Father is going to bring you through this.
We all go through dark periods. However, our loving Father doesn’t ever leave us there! He never abandons us to an emotional winter. Instead, He walks beside us, eventually bringing us out of darkness into a new, bright beginning!
Our God loves to do new things for us. As you see the buds and blossoms of springtime this year, I pray you will be reminded of this truth. Springtime is tangible proof that our Father’s heart is to renew and restore us. He is obsessed with newness of life; He is an expert at re-creation.
No matter what you have been going through, our Father has promised to give you beauty instead of ashes. Right now, He is making a way where there seems to be no way. He is in the process of turning your barren wasteland into a beautiful, refreshing oasis. He can’t help Himself; it’s who He is. By His very nature, Jesus Christ makes all things new.
Are you ready for a new beginning? Are you ready for our Father to shine His beams of hope back into your heart? If so, I would like to encourage you today. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Our Father is with you. He is making all things new in your life right now.
So trust Him. Ask Him for a new start. Renewed hope and a new beginning are on their way to you right now… and your breakthrough may be nearer than you think.
Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thank you, Jamie! Jesus has perfect timing and uses great vessels (like you) to bring His word.
Jamie, I loved reading these words today! Reminders of new beginnings offer such hope that joy is on the other side – -love that!
Thanks, Valerie.
Love these words Jamie! So thankful for this truth, “Your problems have a shelf life.” Yes, they do! He is Redeemer, over every one of our failures, goodness, that breathes life. He makes all things new. Joy comes. Blessings to you!
My daughter died at 4 1/2. My husband divorced me 2 years later. I married again and my second husband had a life threatening disease – he died 5 months ago. When I went through my daugher’s dead I was hopeless; I thought God didn’t love me and somehow I had a part in her death. People didn’t understand during this time of despair just what hopelessness is. However, I learned that I do trust God and His son Jesus, and made a definite decision for my life then. I would forever believe in Him as Saviour and Lord, and see what happens next. I’m waiting but this time with hope and trust.
Sarah, I’m so sorry for your losses. I cannot imagine. I’ll add you to my prayer list today. And I pray that hope will spring up in your heart and that God will restore you doubly as much for the sorrow you have endured.
Thank you for the encouraging words Jamie! Timely and uplifting…
I can never get enough of this Scripture. Thank you!!
It’s so part of my season… God promising me new life.
🙁
My family has been going through an extremely hard time with one of our adopted children. Reading this today has given me the courage and hope to continue through this very difficult decision.
I’m so sorry, Kathy. I pray you’ll have much wisdom. Hugs!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I so needed to read this today! I really appreciate the encouraging words. I know there are brighter days ahead! What a blessing!
Jamie this was beautiful!! I loved this part, “Our problems have a shelf life!” God is speaking to me about singing a new song…I love that He is so reliable and faithful to carry us through the seasons of life! Thanks for sharing this today 🙂
Sing it, girl! 🙂
Jamie, thanks for this. I especially loved these words of yours: “When I finally gave up and began to trust God with every part of my life….” I call this, “the Gethsemane turning point”. Self-sufficiency is so ingrained as a value in our culture, that truly surrendering when our back is to the wall is a genuinely new learning experience (at least, that’s how I felt and likely will continue to feel when God deems I need a refresher course!). Again, thanks for what you wrote and also grateful for everyone’s comments.
Thank you so much for these words they Def came at the right time I’m going through alot and feeling super discouraged but this gave me new hope to keep looking forward and trusting in Christ.
thank you for this inspirational piece….I am struggling BIG TIME…and i feel soooooo discouraged by EVERYTHING…i guess i don’t have much hope left..I must be still holding on to some control because my future doesn’t look better…….i could def use all the prayers from all over to help God hear my pleas…
Hi Kelly, is it ok if I write a short prayer for you? “Father God, in Jesus’ name I pray for Kelly. Lord, I ask that Your Holy Spirit would comfort her and wrap Your arms around her. Help her to know how much You love her. Let her feel Your heart beating for her. Give her hope and new life again, Papa, and send her friends who will be faithful to lift her up throughout this time. Show her Your wonderful plans for her life and give her favor and wisdom. Amen.”
Hugs! Remember that Papa loves you and your picture is on His refrigerator! He promised to work everything out for your good. I pray things will get better very soon.
Kelly,
Prayers for peace and comfort in your life and heart.
Father,
Please give Kelly hope for a brighter future. Shower her with blessings and friends to comfort her. Give her peace that transcends all understanding. Shower her with hugs and kisses from you!
AMEN!
Thank you!! The past 3 and 1/2 years has been the most devastating season I have ever known. Divorce, financial disaster, not knowing where the next meal for my kids would come from or how i would buy clothes for them….i lost hope, faith, peace, and walked into anxiety, depression, hopelessness, discouragement, self-hatred deepened….it has been absolutely dark and cold and empty. But, God is faithful and while i haven’t “felt” Him by my side i can see now that He was there. Just this year i have begun to feel tthat He might be beginning to restore my life and hope. i have lost my job but was able to receive a severance package…and oddly enough i am excited to see what God is going to do. i am moving closer to my son and i am waiting to see what God is going to do in providing a job and a new beginning!! i fear what is next and sometimes that depression tries to sneak back in and rob my hope but God reminds me to keep the faith!!! Thank you!!!
Wow, what an awesome story, Kay! I felt a thrill of excitement just reading it! It oozes God! (Insert hallelujah chair-dance here.) I’m so excited for you. I’m sorry you’ve been through such a hard time, but it sounds like God is setting you up to be restored double for your trouble! WhooHOO! 🙂
I would love to believe this all is true. I used to, really. But I’ve waited too long and now my hope is run out. I can’t trust anyone anymore, especially God.
Hi B. I’m sorry to hear you’ve been so discouraged. I just prayed about what to say to you because I realize you don’t need words, you need breakthrough. But I feel like Papa would just want you to know that He’s been beside you the whole time, and He has caught every tear you’ve cried in His bottle. He loves you so much and wants you to experience the abundant life Jesus died to give you. He wants to hug you and catch you up in His arms. He’s right there with you right now, whereever you are, and I know He’s so sorry you’ve been hurt. He still wants to make it better though, and He can, because He loves you. I pray you will feel His affection right now and find comfort, even for the first time in years. ((Hugs.))
I needed to be reminded of this today, right now. I have been going thru a very low period in my marriage, finances, we recently left our church and are looking for a new one. I need to exercise but have been just eating too many treats to reward myself for putting up with what I do. I struggle so much with feelings of jealousy when I see others who have a supportive, loving relationship with their husband. I feel like a single mom in many ways. I feel like if I could rewind 15 years and make a different choice, I would. Thanks for reminding me of hope. Each time I am hurt emotionally, I feel like I get more jaded and less hopeful that things will change or improve. I’m trying not to be this way but it’s getting tougher. I will save your story.
Julie,
Prayers for you and your family. May God give your husband a heart transplant. I pray you find a good church with many people to come around you.
God,
Please give Julie and her husband some hope and peace. Change the husband’s heart. Help him to be more loving and supportive of his wife and child. Bless them with a new church family. Shower Julie with your love, grace and mercy. Give her the reassurance that ALL will be well!@
AMEN!
Wow! You just do not know how much I needed to read this today. Thank you.
Thank you for the much needed (in)couraging words!
Jamie, Thank you for your words of encouragement today. Every day I work to pull closer to the Lord in the midst of the struggles that are happening in my life, and every day that looks different. Some days it is prayer, others scripture, some journaling, and still others books about God. Today, it was this. These things help to keep my soul and life fixed on Christ, regardless of my physical circumstance. While I cannot change what is happening to my body, I have full control over my attitude towards it and how I allow that to affect the rest of my life. Thank you for helping be a part of keeping my mind stayed on Jesus today. -Briana
“Our God loves to do new things for us . . .” Yes, so beautiful. Thank you so much for your encouragement and transparency, Jamie.
I felt I should share how special your post today was for me. My family and I have been going through a number of things which are “wreaking havoc” in our lives with no end in sight. Despite my best efforts, I have been becoming more and more discouraged. This morning during my devotions I read something by Oswald Chambers that said when you are given a promise from God, hang on to it for all you are worth. I try to hang on to all the promises of God but I wanted a special one from Him and asked Him if He could give me one, for my own, to hang on to. I saw your post today and shared it on my facebook page earlier but it was only this evening that I noticed the word “promise” and realized that this is MY special promise to hang onto, straight from His hand–how lovely and true…”He can’t help Himself; it’s who He is.”-. (Also the photo you used is very near to the one on my page!). God bless you and thank you again.
Wow, that’s really awesome, Julie. Thanks for sharing! Hang on to that thang… God is not a man, that He should lie. It’s not possible for His words to be anything but true. Go Jesus!
This was beautiful. I loved that He will make a way where there seems to be no way. He makes all things new. He can’t help himself. It’s Who He is. I have issues, health and otherwise but this was a sweet encouragement to me. Thank you for telling your story.
Jamie, thank you for this beautiful reminder.
Just earlier today an extended time of pain and confusion lifted. I cried tears of joy as God started to unfold the details of a long-sought, and struggled for plan. Just. today. And if that wasn’t enough, He ‘shows off’ by speaking again through your message. I love that He does that. The intricacies and connections that He weaves throughout each of our lives are simply amazing–– if only we take the time to pause, breathe, and see them. Blessings to you, Jamie, and thank you for this gift today.
Wow. How cool is that! Thanks for sharing!
I want to thank you for the encouraging words,it was like the words was speaking directly to my spirit,i’ve been believing GOD for some things for a long time,i’m not going to give up,so the words were right on time.
Thank you so much. Just what I needed to hear. God works so much slower than I would like. He is teaching me a lot of patience.
Thank you for this today. I have to renew my strength daily. My husband left me and our son two weeks before he graduated High School. He has lied about why he left. Told many many things about me that are so hurtful and lies about why he left. He has filed for divorce and it’s been 10 months since he left. He lives with a girlfriend that’s half his age. We are expecting our first grandchild next month but he has convinced my daughter I’m evil. Our son has starting hanging out with people he shouldn’t. How can so much go wrong to a Christian family. I know God will bring beauty to these ashes. It’s do hard waiting on God but I know he is for me and restoration is coming soon. Thank you Father!!!
I’m so sorry for what you’re going through, Kristyn. I prayed for you just now. Hang in there!
This message of hope is exactly what I needed. I’m 66 and have lived alone in my apartment going on 14 years, although I live 3 miles from my daughter & family sometimes I become lonely and feel like there’s no hope for this to ever change. The Lord has blessed me on so many wonderful ways, I lost 60 pounds this past year & God has healed my body as a result. I am bipolar which caused me to stay in the senior mental health hospital at Emory here in Atlanta for changes with my medication. I spent 2 years in a row for 2 weeks. God blessed me with the most amazing psychiatrist, it has been under his wisdom & compassion that I’m on the correct medicine to treat my depression and with his knowledge and God’s love for me I’ve been doing very good since 2012 until the last fewer weeks when depression & hopelessness hit me hard. This depressive episode led to my crying & actual wailing at the end of my bible study this past week. I cried the all the next day. My daughter told us about talking to her brother (my son), who is a drug addict, that he told her he “was lonely.” That triggered my crying, actually wailing with no hope I wanted to be in Heaven, to give up but I will not give up because of the Isaiah scripture you shared in this message. My HOPE is in Jesus Christ alone, He is now and always will be watching over me & rescuing me from hopelessness to joy. Thank you, thank you for this message. I know God led me to it this morning.
Oops! My last name is Robertson, not Roberyson.
Jamie,
Your words speak truth to my heart.
“Have you ever been so beaten down that you lost hope for things to get better? Have you ever cried out to the Lord for help and a new beginning? There were times years ago when I just wanted to quit my job and start fresh elsewhere. During that time my mother had dementia and sundowner’s and was bedridden 24/7. I didn’t know from moment to moment when the phone rang if it was good news or bad. She finally went to be with the Lord in 2009 and that for me was a relief. No more suffering for her.
I have always clung to the fact “No matter what you have been going through, our Father has promised to give you beauty instead of ashes.” We have a new boss at work and she is changing my job around. It will be more clinical and a little less paperwork. Patience is the word for me! No problem is to big for God and all situations have a shelf life!
Blessings 🙂
Oh how I needed this, thank you! I’ve been wallowing all weekend, wondering when the emotional pain will subside. It’s been months of trying to heal from friendship and church leadership damage. I want to be healed and restored immediately, but I know it takes time. thanks for reminding me that restoration will come.
Jamie, your hearts post today flooded over me, I just read last night “trust me”.
Jesus’ words. I said .”I do, I have, I will.”
the last 3 years financial issues, I’m retired, looking for work, everything has gone backward. I can’t seem to get that one hurdle a job to supplement what I need. Isaiah 43: 19 See I doing a new thing! As you also quoted. I have lost a home, 2 cars. A relationship With a really sweet man caused me hesetache. Tears.
Years. I just repeated Jesus I do trust you,
but for the first time ever I’m so depressed. I found myself doubting that I
do trust. Last night I said “it’s do hard to
trust, I can’t see you.” then I think about spring. I just checked with my bank,
I’ll be short on my now rent.. I’m just so hopeful, I keep moving forward on His promises, I dont see any change. I don’t
know how to let go completely, let God handle things. I know my losses are my
fault I should of handled my home etc
more efficiently. I see His hand in all this
but I failed Him in my mind. Thank you for
your words of encouragement I needed to hear today.
I just prayed for you, Mae. Hang in there. I’m reminded of the words to the song:
“His strength is perfect when our strength is gone
He’ll carry us when we can’t carry on
Raised in His power, the weak become strong
His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect.”
May His strength and grace be sufficient to carry you through today.
Oh how I needed this. My husband and I moved for his job almost 9 months ago and though I am grateful for part time work, I still do not have full time work. Every job interview doesn’t pan out…so I am working a few part time jobs. I am hopeless and emotionally and physically weary. I constantly feel let down. And we are newlyweds and this causes me to hardly ever see my husband. I am trying to hold on to hope and believe that the Lord can change things. I am constantly reminding myself the Lord provides.
How do you continue to hope, after each disappointment?
Hi Katy,
That’s a really profound question. I would answer it this way: Your hope has to be in the Lord, not in your specific situation working out the way you want it to.
When we place our hope in a particular situation, it sets us up for disappointment because earthly circumstances can never be depended upon.
However, when we place our hope in the Lord Himself, He promises that we shall not be put to shame or have our hope in Him disappointed. Our Father God never changes. He is a faithful, trustworthy, loving, good, and generous Father, and it’s not possible for Him to be anything else.
Deuteronomy 33:27a says: “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms…”
His arms are around you, Katy, and He’s holding you up. His heart beats for you, and He has caught every tear you’ve ever cried. Your picture is on His refrigerator. He loves you, and loves you, and loves you, and loves you. You are His favorite. He will be with you and help you, no matter what you are going through. All you have to do is seek His face, and ask Him to help you trust Him.
Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Hugs!
Jamie, a smile came across my heart reading that you prayed for me! Your encouragement in the words you write
I kept a copy and read it several times a day: I was ready for a new beginning, a fresh start and Our heavenly father to put the light of hope Back into my heart: I can feel a fresh new start on the way. Would you believe when I went to pay my rent it was provided!! I was in shock – well happy shock which, by all accounts that was a miracle! I’v yet to get that job.. But i now the strength of the song you quoted. Tears that you took time to pray for me and it was 4-2 you prayed & I paid the rent!
I’m on a new path.. I didn’t see your note until today 4-3 ! Thank you. I’m not giving up.. Mae
I had just about given up.. I
Laughing in delight! Our Papa is such a good Daddy! Thank You, Jesus, and thank you for letting me know, Mae!!
Jamie, what a joy your Love of the Lord!
It’s so sweet to hear heart-felt prayers. To be a part of sisters in Christ! I keep reading: “No matter where you are in life
this moment, God steps in things change 360 and we are free”. 2 Corinthians 3:17
My path is changing. I love how one moment I get a little discouraged, then
I gather my thoughts- do a chore, run a erand, apply for another job, or see spring !!
Write a note on my heart, Dear Lord, tell me what you want me to hear! Open my eyes. Send me
my guardian angel. My prince.
Securely financial. Surely bountiful friends who know you.
A home. A husband. Beauty for
Ashes. Forgive my stupidity.
Forgive my carelessness. I long to know you, to feel your presence every moment, every joy, every tear. Wash me clean.
Remove doubt. Step into my life
once again. It’s late in my years
that I know you carried me, I ignored some of the signs you posted. Post those again. Put a newness to my feet, new sandals of grace. Let your light shine in me once again, free my feelings
of inadequacy, renew my heart.
I cannot live fully without you.
I have known you since a little girl, be still my heart. I need a song like the Angels sang when
I came from surgery, You were there, you showed me your glory,
brought me back. You carried me. It was then I knew the path was going to change, but, it got
more difficult, I still had to change my attitude, my self sufficiency, my running away,
A sojourner of sorts I had always been. Looking for something which I already had, too blind to see. Now I do! But it’s a new path, and I need new renewed hope in my heart. I need a new start, with you at the helm, I need you, I love your gentle ways. Your kind words. Your strength. I need to see spring flowers,
the ocean blue waters, new wine in my pantry of life. Its you I need.
Jamie, it’s your prayers, and the women who shared their heart & prayers on this post gave me courage to share my heart too. I’m so thankful! It takes courage to
trust again. Blessings to this site InCourage. Mae
Mae-
Isaiah 43:18-19