“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NIV)
Earlier this year, a young lady from our church, found that life had become too much for her, and she took her own life. Whilst I didn’t know her very well, I have since heard a lot about her and there was even a documentary done about her, that showed recently on television. It was entitled “The Girl Least Likely”.
She was seen to be a happy, committed, Christian girl, a leader amongst her peers and a youth leader within our church. But what wasn’t as clear to those around her, was the depression she was feeling and the fear of a future she couldn’t see how she could survive.
How can someone who is a Christian, feel they have no hope for their future? Can someone who knows God and His power in their life, still feel that they cannot cope?
Years ago, I would probably have answered “No” to those questions, but now I know from personal experience that there are times when the answers are “Yes”. It was a long time before I felt able to admit that there are times in my life where I don’t cope and fear what the future may be for me. And I still believe that as Christians, we don’t make it easy for people to admit that.
God is a God of hope as the above verse says and He does give us, not only an eternal hope, but a hope that with His help, we will get through each day - even the really tough ones. I believe that, but I still need to be reminded of it and ask God again, to fill me with His joy, peace and hope.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia and has had chronic pain for a number of years. She prays that you may all know the true hope that only God can give us.
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