A husk of its former self, my heart remained tucked on the corner of a forgotten shelf. Fear stalked my steps and doubt chased close behind.

Where was God? Didn’t He hear my desperate cries for help when hope seemed lost? 

God’s answers did not arrive in tidy boxes wrapped with pretty bows. Instead, heartache and hard work were required, and—in many ways—I disliked his response.

God’s answers did not arrive in tidy boxes wrapped with pretty bows. Instead, heartache and hard work were required, and—in many ways—I disliked his response. #answeredprayer Click To Tweet

But I’ve learned that although I thought my faith had withered, I was engaged in what Pastor Daniel Rolfe labeled an “incongruent moment”. Faith did not die but I struggled to understand. Like the prophet of old, I asked, “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?” (Habakkuk 1:2 ESV)

Have you, too, knelt before God yearning for an answer? Are you in that position now? Perfect!

Keep reading and you will discover, through the book of Habakkuk, why you are exactly where you need to be.

 

5 Keys That Will Strengthen Your Hope

 

Embrace and Wrestle Often, Biblical names offer insight into a person’s character. Habakkuk’s name, which means to embrace and wrestle, reflects at least some of the inner struggle conveyed in the verse above.

Like us, he wrestled with the hard questions. At the same time, Habakkuk embraced God.

“Are You not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One?” (Habakkuk 1:12 NKJV)

Friend, if pain and struggle are part of your story right now, embrace and wrestle. Take your questions, prayers, and hurt to the One who can answer you when hope seems lost. He is able.

 

Take Up Position Habakkuk 2:1  reads, “I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me…”

Standing watch requires endurance and patience. A devotion to the Lord and the desire to make space for a holy encounter.

Standing watch requires endurance and patience. A devotion to the Lord and the desire to make space for a holy encounter. Click To Tweet

Write the Vision Whether God answers in the quietness of your heart or gives you something more direct, I encourage you to record His answer to your prayer as Habakkuk did when he “made it plain on tablets” . (Habakkuk 2:2)  They provide a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness.

 

Though It Tarries, Wait for It Some of my prayers were answered within minutes while others moved with me through the decades. I lean on Bible verses like Habakkuk 3 to strengthen my hope, “Though it tarries, wait for it: Because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

 

Rejoice in God Habakkuk rejoiced and offered God words of praise knowing the Babylonians would soon invade. That seems almost odd, doesn’t it? Except God’s man knew who holds the future. Whether he survived or not, Habakkuk was secure in the Lord’s hands.

We, too, can praise the Lord. He knows our situation and nothing about it intimidates Him. Like Habakkuk, we can sing, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord…The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.” (Habakkuk 3:18-19 NKJV)

 

A Prayer When Hope Seems Lost

Lord,

When we feel as though our hope is lost, help us to wrestle with the challenging questions of our faith. Teach us to lay them at your feet and embrace you, Father. Thank you for us loving us even in our frailty. Gird us up that we might endure, taking a faithful stand as we wait for your answer, Holy Spirit. We proclaim “the Lord is my strength” (Hab. 3:18) and choose to trust in you today.

In the powerful name of Jesus,

Amen

 

I sometimes link up with the following wonderful bloggers:

Mondays   Mandy and Michele/ Inspire Me Monday/Anita Ojeda Tuesdays InstaEncouragements Wednesdays  Recharge Wednesday / Tell His Story//Let’s Have Coffee Thursdays ImpartingGrace/Heart Encouragement  /  Tune In Thursday  /Salt and Light Friday FriendshipFriday/Blogger Voices Network /Faith on Fire

Grace & Truth exists to point people to Jesus. We hope this link-up will be a source of encouragement every week. For monthly hope and encouragement and access to a FREE resource library, subscribe to [email protected].

 

 

Tammy Kennington

• Following your hosts via their blog and social media channels is not mandatory but appreciated!

• Leave 1-2 of your most recent Christian Living posts. Please do not link DIY, Crafts, Recipes, etc. We will delete these links. We also reserve the right to remove articles that don’t align with the theme or are deemed by the hostesses to be inappropriate.
• Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community among us, so please don’t link and run!
• We sort all links randomly—feel free to link as early or as late as you’d like. The playing field is even!

Featured Post Requirements

• Please grab a button and link it back to one of our hosts to encourage new linkers. It is not mandatory to participate but is required to be featured.
• Tammy will choose one blog post every other week to emphasize and promote via her website and social media channels. Be sure to visit our others hosts weekly to see what they have chosen.

Join us for the Grace & Truth Christian Link-Up. #graceandtruth #bloglinkup #christianbloggers Click To Tweet