{"id":89616,"date":"2025-12-14T22:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T06:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/club31women.com\/?post_type=devotional&p=89616"},"modified":"2025-12-13T17:04:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-14T01:04:17","slug":"holding-hope-during-the-holidays","status":"publish","type":"devotional","link":"https:\/\/club31women.com\/devotional\/holding-hope-during-the-holidays\/","title":{"rendered":"Holding Hope During the Holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What if my hope leads to disappointment? What if I embrace joy only to have it ripped from my hands? A<\/em>nd what if I try and fail?<\/em> These are the questions we often ask as we stare into the unknown and wrestle with uncertainty. These questions can feel particularly poignant during the Advent season as we are invited to hope and anticipate the joy of Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"This<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n


<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like me, I\u2019m guessing you know what it\u2019s like to encounter heartache that makes you hesitant to rise to delight in your days and look to the future with an expectant heart. When we\u2019ve experienced pain, it can be difficult to trust God\u2019s promises. Pessimism is easier. Cynicism is safer. But the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah in Luke 1 extends a different invitation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both Elizabeth and Zechariah, walked faithfully with God, even as they carried shame and grief in being unable to conceive a child. When the angel Gabriel visited Zechariah, he was unable to release his doubt and embrace the good news and as a result, was silenced for a period of time by God (Luke 1: 19\u201320). Zechariah had known God as his comforter, but was unable to trust Him as his celebrator. He wanted proof before deciding that joy was a good idea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two Responses to God\u2019s Promise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, Elizabeth readily received God\u2019s gift of grace, seeing beyond her personal experience to what is possible with God. She was not entangled by doubt, nor did she allow the dread of what could happen to cause disbelief in God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honestly? I\u2019m more like Zechariah. I long for a future that\u2019s guarded with guarantees. But, with God\u2019s help, I\u2019m growing toward having a heart like Elizabeth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want to recognize God in pain and<\/em> joy and be unafraid to celebrate knowing that God is present and engaged in both experiences. I would like to look into the unknown and choose to wonder about how God will move. The goal is to appreciate beauty without dreading its dark side. I would like to say yes to a dream without weighing it down with ideas about everything that could go wrong. I want to build plans with possibilities instead of problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fear shouldn\u2019t stop me from laughing or cheering out loud in the face of good news. I long to step into the light and trust that God will meet me there.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hope That Rests on God\u2019s Faithfulness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It’s worth noting that Zechariah\u2019s pessimism doesn\u2019t keep him from the promise. Though Zechariah was silenced for a time because of his doubt, God was faithful to His promise. When hope feels scarce, sometimes we wonder if we need to demonstrate a certain level of faith before God is willing to intervene in our circumstances and bring breakthrough and healing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s easy to assume that our pain is the result of some sort of formula\u2014our failure to be enough\u2014good enough, strong enough, brave enough\u2026But God\u2019s faithfulness to us doesn\u2019t depend on our faith. His goodness is not a function of our goodness. There is simply so much joy available to us when we trust God and take Him at His word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We don\u2019t hope because of what<\/em> we receive. We hope because of Who<\/em> we receive: The Person and presence of Jesus Christ. No matter what the future holds, we can celebrate that God will be exactly who He says He is. Looking ahead, will we allow our awe of God to expand beyond the limits of our own imagination? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will we hold an expectant heart\u2026one that can celebrate God\u2019s promises in the midst of all circumstances? Will we choose to place our hope in what is possible with God, knowing that God is holding us?<\/p>\n\n\n