Holding onto Hope in the Midst of Broken Reality

Life is tough; we face problems in relationships, careers, families, finances, and every other situation involved in living on this broken planet. God calls us to have hope and joy despite such challenges, even while we grieve and suffer and hurt. I am particularly challenged in the practicalities of having hope and believing that God can make the broken whole while at the same time not let it cut me right now. 

Maybe you relate. Perhaps your marriage is broken and your spouse has filed for divorce. Do you fight it or do you protect your future and what is rightfully yours? When do you simply accept a new reality and move forward? It could be that you have a life-threatening illness. Do you continue praying for healing when the treatment is failing or prepare your family for your death? How does hope work with the reality of life’s brokenness? How do we continue to trust God and show deep faith when reality suggests otherwise?

Wishing for the Easy Life

There are days when I wish for an easy life; I want to lie around and fall asleep at any time in any situation, just as my dogs do. They aren’t bothered by the worries and trials of life. Although they enjoy chasing various critters in the yard and alerting me to the dangers of anyone who walks down the front sidewalk, they immediately forget it and focus on the nap or food before them. They have servants (primarily me) to cater to their every wish for food, water, playmates, walks, and comfy places to sleep.

Why is life so hard for us? Why can’t we live like dogs? Three thoughts come quickly to mind.