Finding hope through the misty moments of life seems impossible some days. You feel alone. You feel discouraged. You may even feel as though you are drowning.

Feelings don’t have the final say in what you choose unless you give feelings that right. You find your hope when you make intentional moves that push past the feelings into the possibilities.

Daily Inspiration and Encouragement

February 21, 2020

Daily Dash of Twisted Encouragement

Finding HOPE through the Misty Moments of Life

I needed to run an errand and found a short cut to get me to the location after dropping off my son at school. I drove down the road and found myself caught in a moment of the past.

It had been decades since the scenery had found its way into my line of vision. It brought back a time in my life when I drove the section of road so often that I could have identified almost every blade of grass.

My imagination may have been in control of the journey, but I would have sworn the pavement played a song as a drove along. I know it something sang to my heart as I flashed back to fun days with good friends.

The morning mist danced in the valleys, adding to my nostalgia. More memories poured over me and I smiled.

And then came the surge of pain from a loss.

I drove that road so many times because it led to my friend. She was really more than a friend – call her a sister, or a soulmate, or an expected part of my life. Whatever you label it, she was always there and every plan I had made included her in it.

One day, she was gone. She’s still alive. She even lives close by. She just quit calling with no explanation and no goodbyes. All I had was an empty place in my life where she had been.

People are like that. Sometimes they are here and other times they are gone. Sometimes they let us down and others they encourage. Sometimes they help and other times they hurt – on accident, on purpose, or by abstention.

As I drove down that stretch of road, I recognized the pain still caused by that missing friend even though it has now been almost two decades since we spoke. And then I caught the sun, shining through another midst covered valley, and I hope broke through the pain the way the sun breaks through the mist.

We are called to be in relationships – but the first relationship upon which all others are built is what matters the most. I have to make the choice to be invested in God first because He will never leave me or forsake me. He will never walk out of my life. He never changes.

People will let us down – and remember, you are people too. Look to God first and when people do cause you to stumble you won’t lose the hope that makes the way to get back up and move on.

Finding HOPE through the Misty Moments

No matter how heavy the mist or how dark the clouds, the sun will always breakthrough. Hold to the truth of the rising sun and you hold on to hope through the tough moments.

• Make God first. The first thing you need to do when you get up in the morning is talk with God. Invest in the relationship with God so that you set the firm foundation for your day.
• Smile. A smile is one of the most powerful encouragement tools you have in your toolbox. Smile, even if you have to smile through the tears in the moment.
• Hold tight to the promise. Just because you can’t see the sun at the moment doesn’t mean it’s gone. Let that knowledge get you through the misty mornings.
• Be okay with the tears. Sometimes the emptiness of loss sneaks up and the tears fall. Let them. Mourn the loss and let the tears water the hope of what is to come.
• Make God last. Anchor the end of your day with a God focus. It will soothe your heart and also calm your mind so sleep will be sweet.

When we look to people for the answer, we find more questions. When we look to people to complete us, we find missing parts. When we look at people to fix it (whatever the it of the moment), we are always left lacking.

The hope never rises up out of the promise of people. Hope rises through the misty musings of people into the Rising Son. Turn your focus to God and you will find that even when you are going through the valley, hope is with you.

What are your tips for finding hope through the misty moments?

Challenge for Intentional Actions

Finding HOPE

God first.
Smile (it’s a multi-tool).
Hold on to the promise.
Accept the tears.
God last.

Creating a foundation in God will lead you to hope through God. Hope based in a personal understanding of God will never fail!

Quote of the Day

“When you choose to seek hope you will find hope.” – Kathryn Lang

It is a simple truth often covered by the complex notions of chaos and the world. Look for hope no matter what noise tries to distract you. When you look for hope you will find it.

What Others Say

Scripture Focus

Today’s Readings:

Deuteronomy 4 – 6
Ezra 1 – 4
Amos 6 – 9
Proverb 21

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Scripture Focus:

“To do justice and to walk in obedience is more acceptable to the Lord than to offer sacrifice.” – from Proverb 21:3

Ponder Point:

Just do it. Do what God tells you to do even when you don’t understand and especially when you don’t want to. When you walk in obedience then you walk in the protection and blessings of God.

Share Moment:

Are you walking in obedience or trusting in your sacrificial offerings?

Study Question

Dig in deeper to the Word to grow a closer relationship with the Word.

Prayers are hindered when you live outside God’s will.

How can you adjust back into His will again?

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