What can we do during these unprecedented times?
It’s on our minds, our talks, our hearts, war in two countries. Worse news surrounds us as the days press, colliding with our own personal challenges. A dear friend of mine was just diagnosed with breast cancer, another friend whose brother was in a debilitating car accident, and worries about my niece, who is struggling in her first year in college.
How can we handle our own situations and such dreadful global news? We feel powerless, numb, outraged, sad. My church recently had a meeting and Zoom call about Hope and what we can do in our daily lives. which helped to share our thoughts and ideas.
We discussed donations, volunteering for local charities, being there for one another, and appreciating what we have. And one person said she was diving into the bible for encouragement.
Thinking that was a good idea, you will find bible verses I’ve gathered to help us with our prayers, faith, and steadfastness.
But I will start with a familiar poem from Emily Dickinson.
She wrote it in 1862, which was two years into the Civil War, when over in 1865, 620,000 people died which was two percent of the population.
Her poem calls upon seafaring terms, such as Gale and Sea. Dickenson used the metaphor of “Hope” as a bird not deterred in a storm. The Bird sings on despite the extremity of the wind, and “Hope” doesn’t leave even if it gets nothing in return. Her poem tells us of Endless Hope that resides in our souls to enable us to endure life’s challenges.
May these Bible verses speak to your heart and help you through any issues you are personally having and our world troubling times.
If you can don’t rush through them. Take some time to listen how they speak to you. Perhaps memorize one or two and keep in your heart. We’ve all suffered loss in our lives but we also know that we will get up, we will rise, with God’s help.
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:25
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:37
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him, our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:20-22
Like a good marriage that grows deeper and sweeter every year–the longer we walk with the Lord the easier it is to have hope in hard times. Psalm 71:5 and 14
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres… And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:6-7, 13
It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8
I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8
But now, LORD, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Psalm 39:7
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Peace I leave with you, peace I give to you, not as the world gives, let not your heart be troubled or dismayed. John 14:27
