The Journey to Finding Hope

The Journey to Finding Hope!

Do you have a copy of the book Silent Grief? You can order your copy today by visiting the store at www.silentgrief.com . Why not donate a copy to your church and hospital, too? Grief from child loss is one of the most misunderstood griefs of all! –Clara Hinton

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When we are suffering intense grief, we find it difficult, if not impossible, to remember what it felt like to be happy. We do not remember that feeling of energy and zest for living. We cannot recall how much fun it was to plan out the agenda for the day. We forget the small things like the background noise of happy chatter and laughter. We forget joy. We forget the wonderful feeling of waking up each new day with hope!

Grief and loss send us to a new place. A foreign land where we are forced to learn a new language and adapt to new feelings and circumstances. We have been uprooted from what felt safe and secure and happy, and have been sent to a place that is unknown and so very frightening. This is our grief journey, and we do not know how we’ll make it!

What has helped most of us who have been called on this journey is knowing that we never have to travel alone. We have others beside us who have led the way, and they have found their new places in life and have begun to smile again. You, too, will find a new joy, and a new peace, and a new way to look at all of life again. You will find HOPE with the unfolding of each new day! --Clara Hinton

“At first I was lost in the dark, then I looked upward and saw the sun peeking through the clouds and I knew with certainty that I was on the right path to call home!” --Clara Hinton

“The Lord is for me; I will not fear.” --Psalm 118:6

When All Feels Lost, Hope is Still Alive!

Grief from child loss is a difficult journey. Do you know someone who is grieving and in need of some help? Why not give them a gift to help in this most difficult walk? Order a copy of “Silent Grief” by Clara Hinton today. Visit the bookstore on www.silentgrief.com for details or visit your local bookstore and order a copy today.
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Grief is so common among all people, yet it is something that makes us feel so terribly alone in our pain. Even when members of a family share the same loss, the type of grieving we do can be so uniquely different. We each experience the pain of our loss in different ways that make grief so hard to understand.

Is there a common thread in grief that we can each see and feel? Yes! That one thing we long for, that one thing we each understand is that we need hope when feeling such despair. We need to find a way to move forward in life and not stay stuck in the lonely prison of grief.

How do we do this? How do we find this hope that we so desperately need? The only true and lasting hope can be found in our faith. When we know with full assurance that our Shepherd is watching over us, we can rest in Him. When our faith stretches to the point of understanding that if He calmed the stormy seas He can also calm my storm-battered heart, then I can find hope and strength in Him.

Walk among nature and experience the mighty presence of God. Read His word and allow Him to comfort your hurting heart. Look to the heavens and be filled with awe as you know He is always with you. Cling to the promise of the rainbow – our visible promise of hope! Grief is real, but hope is eternally alive! –Clara Hinton

“Without hurry or fear I will dwell in the house of my grief and wait for the promise of my hope to return!” --Clara Hinton

“…in quietness and trust is your strength.” – Isaiah 30:15

Hope Arrives When We Least Expect It!

**********Silent Grief Retreat 2011***********
Have you registered for the Silent Grief Retreat being held in Warm Springs, GA this March 18 – 20, 2011? Please visit http://www.clarahinton.com to register. I can’t wait to see you there! --Clara Hinton
*********Silent Grief Retreat 2011**************

It happens so gradually that most often we don’t realize it is taking place. We wake up one morning with the sun shining brightly and we smile and welcome the day. We go through twenty four hours without crying. We join in on a conversation and there is laughter minus any guilt. And we realize that we have finally reached our new destination.

The journey wasn’t easy. In fact, we experienced every storm and hardship imaginable. We had many setbacks along the way. But, finally we have found that new place that we can call home. It is different from what we knew as our happiness before, but there is a joy here, too, and we know that we can peacefully settle in and call this new land our home.

Yes, without really know it, we have settled into our new place. There will be setbacks and reminders of our loss, but the pain will no longer take precedence over all that we think and do. Instead, we will have gentle and fond remembrances, and we will shift most of our thoughts to loving gratitude for today. And, most importantly, we will know that the dark side of our grief is no longer our landscape. Instead, we can live in the quiet, serene beauty of hope and peace. –Clara Hinton

“I will walk through this pain of grief one day at a time until I reach my new home of peace and hope.” --Clara Hinton

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry…….And, He put a new song in my mouth.” -- Psalm 40: 1 and 3

Finding the New Normal

“When does this pain of loss end? Is there no relief?” This is often the cry of a parent who has lost a child. The grief seems too big and too hard at times. And, there seems to be no end in sight for the pain and isolation. And, yet we know that somehow, some way life must continue on.

We keep trying; keep reminding ourselves that we must take life one day at a time. In fact, sometimes we take life one hour at a time, giving ourselves the time we need to adjust to our new world, our new way, this life that now is labeled “the new normal.”

And, so we train our minds daily to look for the good, to listen for the song, and to watch for the sunshine and blue skies. We force ourselves to move forward into this world knowing that it will never be the same again, but also understanding that we must choose to move forward into this
new land beyond our grief journey. And, so we do!

Hope is amazing as it teaches us that the very same sun is still shining and waiting to warm us. Nature is still painting the world with beauty beyond words. Our Father is still giving us comfort and help in order to help fill the void. And, so we slowly move forward knowing that one day the curtain of grief will be pulled back and we will be able to see life with new eyes and a heart filled with hope! --Clara Hinton

“There is no way out, but there is a way that goes forward.” --C. Hinton

“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” --Isaiah 40:31

Which Blue are You?

Blue is such an interesting color! It can take on the meaning of so many different things, feelings, moods, and traditions. There is sky blue, ocean blue, true blue, blue ribbon, blue moon, feeling blue, singing the blues, and having the blues. You get the picture. Sometimes blue is associated with springtime, and nature, and wonderment. Often blue is used synonymously with peaceful and tranquil, and serene.

Blue can also take on the meaning of feeling sadness and sorrow. Blue can mean bemoaning our circumstances in life. And, having the blues can even be related to feelings of depression. What numerous contrasts of meanings found just in the simple word, “blue.”

When we are going through a loss, we will often use “blue” to describe the state of our emotions. We are feeling sad, lonely, isolated, and depressed. We don’t see the world as a place of peace and quietness, but rather our world is mixed up and out of sync. Nothing feels right or in place. We feel displaced and upset. We are sad blue. And, oh how we long for the time when we will see life as “sky blue” once again! With a heavy heart we wonder if that time will ever arrive!

If you are in a place of sad blue right now, hold on! Remember that blue is an ever-changing color! Your time of springtime and newness will arrive again! Today your world might look blue etched in the darkness of black. Your world may feel as though it is crashing apart. But, hope is alive, and will return to bring you back to a place of blue calmness just as sure as the sun rises and sets each day.

How do you know when your sad blue will take a turn for the hopeful blue? You will know when your eyes see the shades of blue differently. What looked dark and frightening will appear warm and inviting. What looked lonely and angry will look complete and filled with peace. You will once again see the sky as an expanse of blue with billowy white clouds, rather than seeing the sky dark blue filled with angry storm clouds.

Hope will color your blue with springtime! Hope will bring new life to your blue! Hope will ignite your heart and allow you to love life once again! Hold on! Keep looking upward and believe that your day of “new blue” will arrive! And, most assuredly it will! --Clara Hinton

“Who can resist the feelings of hope when staring at the expanse of the beautiful blue sky?” --C. Hinton

“Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, who is the help of my sad countenance, O my God.” --Psalm 43:5

Thirty Days to Finding Your Heart

A new year has begun, and yet we find ourselves feeling the same pangs of emptiness and loss as we did the year before. And, so we ask, “How does one begin anew when the heart has been taken out of life?” That is the question every parent asks when a child dies. “How? How does one begin anew?”

When our heart has been broken, we don’t have answers – at least not answers that make any sense. And, so in our desperation and brokenness, we turn to God for our help. We look to the only One who can give us the hope and the reason to go on.

Practice this exercise faithfully for the next 30 days and you will begin to notice small, subtle changes that will eventually give you back your heart. Say “thank you” aloud for five blessings each day. Take ten minutes to experience nature – listen to the birds singing their morning praises, experience the miracle of the rising sun, gaze at the twinkling stars in the moonlit sky. Memorize five verses from the Psalms – healing verses that tell of God’s mighty power and His infinite love for you.

At the end of 30 days, you will desire to continue this practice for another 30 days, and another, and another all throughout the year as this is your way of feeding your soul and bringing life back into your once empty heart! -- Clara Hinton

“Life has a way of bringing you back to places you thought were forever forgotten.” --Clara Hinton

“Cease striving and know that I am God.” -- Psalm 46:10a

Hope is Alive!

The pain of loss is something that cannot be explained by words alone. How does one explain a pain that runs so deep that it makes the heart bleed? How does one tell others what it feels like to have a cloud always hovering above with reminders of the life that no longer exists as we once knew it? How can we possibly share the personal pain we feel to the extent that others understand? It cannot be done. Grief is too personal.

How then do we move forward? How do we find our place in our new world – the world that has been created by our loss? How can we find a way to bring joy back into our hearts that hurt so much each day? Is it even possible to reclaim joy?

This world is full of pain and grief. That is a fact. But, it is also brimming over with joy and blessings. When we are in the pits of grief, we feel alone and abandoned by all blessings. But, as we allow hope to ignite within us, it acts as a magnet drawing the blessings of life closer and closer to us until finally we reach that point where we can see joy again. No longer does grief rule our lives. It is there. We will always feel that sting of loss, but no longer will it govern our every thought and action.

Hope is alive, and it is bigger than any pain we are feeling right now! Cling to hope and it will ignite a fire within your heart so that you can find your way out of the darkness into light! –Clara Hinton

“Be still and allow the hope within to warm your heart with joy.” --Clara Hinton

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.” -- Psalm 18:2:a

Healing and Hope Come One Day at a Time

Grief is a journey, and every person experiencing grief knows that. What we don’t always know, and cannot fully grasp, is the phrase, “one day at a time.” Wow! That’s so hard! How do you only look at this day – today – when so much of yesterday and so much of tomorrow has been taken away?

Living in the “today” is often the griever’s biggest heartache. Learning to grab hold of today and enjoy something about it without sorrowing about the future – the things that will never become part of our today – is often the most draining part of loss. Yet, we know that it’s a necessary part of our healing. Living just for today is hard work, but we must learn how to do it if we choose to live this life with renewed joy.

At first, one thinks only of making it through the lonely days and nights. Then, our walk becomes a bit more “normal” as we call it in the world of grieving. We come to understand that our normal is a new normal. Things will never totally be the same again. Then, our final step in this journey of grief is the total understanding of what has happened, and learning to live just for today and grasp the joy and renewed hope of today.

This change doesn’t come right away. It may take many long months, which reach into years. But, you will know with full certainty when you are living in the joy of this day.

When you can hear the birds singing their morning song and your heart whistles along, you are beginning to heal. When you can see the sunrise and smile with assurance knowing this is going to be a good day, you have begun to heal. When you hear laughter from others and you give yourself permission to join in, you will absolutely know that you are beginning to learn to live in the joy of this day!

Joy will return. It will be different than before your loss, but your new hope and joy will be deeper, more meaningful, and you will live in the presence of the gift of this day! -- Clara Hinton

“I will not try to bypass the pain of grieving. I will take it one day at a time until hope and joy return!” -- Clara Hinton

“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” --Psalm 37:7

The Newness of Grief

Facing change under the best of circumstances is difficult and a bit frightening, to say the least. What will it be like? How can I be prepared? When wills this awful feeling leave? How long will it take me to get to a place of feeling normal again? Change brings about many new things for us, and the loss of a child is perhaps the worst change one can ever go through! We no longer can find the ground beneath us, much less travel the road of grief we have now been placed upon!

Mercifully, the sharp edges of pain that accompany grief will not always be there. With each passing day, we are making progress in finding our way through all of the new grief – even if it doesn’t feel like it. Time stops being our enemy and actually begins to help give us what we need to help navigate through this dark, winding path called grief.

If you are in the newness of grief right now, life is not at all routine for you. Everything is different from the rising of the sun to the close of the day. Hold on! Millions have walked this path you are now on, and they, too, struggled. They searched. They fell down. They suffered battle fatigue. They asked hard questions. They cried millions of tears, but they made it. And, you will make it, too!

Hope is stronger than the grief you are experiencing today. Hope will eventually help you begin to feel alive again. Hope will emerge strong. Hope will light your path. Hope will brighten your journey. Hope will calm your fears. Hope will give you purpose again. Hope will carry you through! -- Clara Hinton

“Hope is stronger than any grief, and when my aching soul surrenders to hope, I will begin to see light once again!” –C. Hinton

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” --Psalm 23:1

Autumn's Grief

Grieving has its seasons, and autumn seems to be a particularly difficult season for those who have gone through loss. Maybe it’s the visual of seeing the flowers stop blooming and the leaves falling off of the trees. Perhaps it’s feeling the warm summer sunshine fading and suddenly feeling the lingering chill in the air. For most of us who have experienced loss, autumn is a time of reflection and bracing ourselves for the days of winter that lie ahead.

What if – what if we viewed autumn a bit differently this year? What if we reminded ourselves of how beautiful spring will be when it arrives again? What if we took the time to plant flower bulbs in the fall so that we can look for our spring following the dark days of winter? What if we promise ourselves to keep focused on the beauty of spring and summer rather than facing autumn with fear and dread?

Many years ago, following the loss of a baby boy, I went through a terrible autumn of grief. Winter was even worse, and I was not certain that springtime in my life would ever again return. I’m not sure what moved me to plant daffodil bulbs that fall, but I did. As I planted them, they were watered with my tears. The more I dug into the chilled, barren earth, the more my tears fell. Yet, I continued to dig and plant. Dig and plant. Dig and plant.

Autumn passed, the ground lay frozen and covered in snow for months in the mountains of Pennsylvania. And, my sorrow remained heavy. Little did I know how much spring would awaken my soul that year! Little did I know how much my grief would be lifted when I saw the first signs of those daffodils breaking through the ground that was now beginning to thaw! Little did I know how much of my grief would be lifted as I saw those first springtime blooms of daffodils! Hope returned! MY hope returned!

Are you facing autumn with dread and fear? Why not buy a bag of flower bulbs and plant them now? And, then wait……patiently and knowingly wait for your spring to return! And, when it does, I can assure you that it will be more beautiful than ever! –C. Hinton

“Grief endures for a season, and spring always returns!” --C. Hinton
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matt. 5:5

Love,
Clara Hinton
Mom of 11 living children
Mom of 1 stillborn son
Mom of 6 angel babies
Author of Silent Grief

How Will I Get Through the Next Day?

How will I do it? How will I get through the next day when I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel? Who really understands? Does anyone want to sit down beside me and help me through this mess in my life? I feel so alone, so broken, and so helpless!

Every person who has experienced loss has felt those same feelings of helplessness and abandonment. Life feels shattered and it seems to us that we will never be
put back together again. Our burdens seem far too big for us, and so many times we give up searching for hope.

Hold on! Take a moment to stop and breathe slowly. Close your eyes and reflect on the moment. Listen to your own heart beating and know that as long as you have life inside of you, you have HOPE!

We each have had deep moments of pain and darkness, and during those times it is hard, if not impossible, to imagine ever seeing the light of day again. But, God designed us in His image, and He has not left us alone. Our Creator has sent us the sun, the moon, and the stars to shed light even during our darkest hours.

Take a walk outside for a moment every day just to listen to the sounds of nature. Do you hear the gentle breeze blowing through the trees? Can you hear the songbird singing a song of thanks and praise in the distance? Look to the heavens and follow the clouds. Stare at them until you can see beyond the misty blue to find the breaking of a new dawn. These are gifts of hope for us! These are our daily reminders that each day brings new hope and new strength! We have not been left alone in our pain! Rather, our heavenly Father has wrapped us in His arms of love and will never let go! --Clara Hinton

“Every sunrise is a personal reminder of new hope!” -- C. Hinton

“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” -- Matthew 5:4 (From the Sermon on the Mount)

Our Heart Can Smile -- Even in the Rain!

The weather is so unpredictable. Sunny and warm one day, and then the next day there could be mighty gusts of wind with torrential downpours. We never know quite what to expect or how to prepare for the unpredictability of the weather!

Grief is so much like the weather. Some days the sun shines and we feel so warm and good all over. Then, without any warning, a storm begins brewing and before we know it, we’re running to find shelter.

The life touched by grief never really knows how to dress for the weather. Will it be raining today, or will there by only sunny skies? Will laughter touch my heart, or will my tears flow fast enough to fill a river?

One thing we do know, and that is that the sudden flashes back into intense grief will not always be that way. There will be a day when our grief no longer is the focus of our entire attention. We will be “okay” if a brief shower comes because we know that soon the skies will part and the sun will shine once again.

What triggers the rain in our lives? It could be something as insignificant as seeing a baby kitten rolling around in the grass. Or a butterfly fluttering to and fro. Maybe it’s a song that comes on the radio that reminds us of the emptiness in our lives. And, we weep tears of sorrow.

We’ll probably never be totally free of these grief flashes, but there will be a day when hope overrides our deep sense of loss and our heart will wear a smile – even in the rain! –C. Hinton

“Somewhere in the middle of my grief is the complete trust that spring will come again!” --Clara Hinton

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my help and my God.” --Psalm 42:5

And, the Clouds Reach Out to Me in Hope!

Today is another day in the 365 days that make up a year. I find myself being swallowed in a sea of grief and pain today, yet I have an inner knowing that somehow, someway it is still going to be good. I know because I have seen another sunrise. I know because I have experienced the joy of hearing the birds in the distance chirping their songs of praise and thankfulness. I know because I’ve seen others fall into a similar sea and come out onto dry land strong, and filled with new hope.

My greatest moment of “knowing” comes when I look at creation. Not all of us have the opportunity to walk along the sea, or to pick wildflowers from a field, but
each one of us has the sky! Can you even begin to fathom the expanse? Study the moods of the sky by following the clouds and their many changes from dark to white and fluffy billows of cotton floating through the air.

When I look at the heavens I am filled with hope! I know that I have a Creator who takes great pain in every detail, including the very details of my life. I can feel His presence in my life, and I am comforted. I can see His workmanship and know that He is very involved in my life. I can see His mighty power in all of His creation and I feel embraced in His strength.

What are you going through today? Pain? Doubts? Loss? Fear? Look to the heavens and allow the Maker of it all to hold you in His strong arms and to keep you safe! Hope is near. Strength is yours. Peace is your gift today! --Clara Hinton

“Beneath the vast expanse of the sky, I can sense the order of the world and feel secure in the arms of my God.” --C. Hinton

“My soul clings to Thee; thy right hand upholds me.” -Psalm 63:8

Grief is a Roller Coaster Ride!

We need to constantly remind ourselves that grief is not a smooth path, but is often rocky, bumpy, and takes us off course for a while. There will be setbacks, but that doesn’t mean that you’re not making progress in your journey towards finding hope and joy once again. Every step that you take is a step closer to finding new hope and strength!

Rather than waste precious energy beating yourself up about not doing better, why not remind yourself daily that you are doing the best that you can. You’ve been pushed into a place that is foreign territory, and you had no choice. Expect some setbacks, accept them when they come, take time to get the tears and pain all out, take a deep breath, then move on.

Life is fragile for each of us, and we’re all in this thing together. Remember that hope is nearby, even when we cannot see it. Trust that the One who created you and this universe knows you intimately and cares. He knows your every joy, and He suffers with you through your every heartache.

If today is one of those not-so-good days, then take heart, allow the pain to be released, and know with full assurance that when you do that, you’re opening up the door to new hope! --Clara Hinton

“Go to sleep knowing that God is awake, and He will take over the things that you cannot do. You are never, ever alone!” --Clara Hinton

“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” -- Psalm 37a

Nature Speaks Volumes to us about Faith and Hope!

There are times in our lives when our faith seems to fly right out the window. Life can hand us some brutal circumstances and we’re left feeling like we’re drifting out to sea without a life jacket or a captain to steer the boat. It’s a terrible feeling of being lost and shipwrecked.

If you’re facing some of the harshness of the day such as job loss, financial insecurities, broken relationships, or the loss of a loved one, that’s the time when you most need your faith and hope. But, how does that happen when all looks dark?

During my own desert times of faith I’ve done two things that have helped me, and I’ll share them with you. I’ve saturated myself in the Psalms. There are cries of hopelessness followed by the assurance that God is alive and real. And, that’s just what we need whenever the unrelenting seas of grief and pain are battering us.

I also walk among nature. Just seeing the many wonders of nature is calming to my soul. Nature is God’s display of His wondrous love and care and power. Nature speaks volumes to us about hope. The seasons come and go, and we know that there is always a spring that follows the depths of winter.

Hope is alive, and hope is the key to restoring our faith. Faith and hope are the keys to survival! When obstacles and trials seem like prison walls, we can break free by clinging onto our hope in the power of the Almighty! --Clara Hinton

“When there seems to be no chance of being set free from my grief, hope bathes my soul with new strength and I am set free!” --Clara Hinton

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” -Isaiah 41:10

When the World has Broken You Down -- Trust!

Do you feel like your life is falling apart? Broken relationships? Illness? Bills stacked higher than the sky? Out of work? Nobody to talk with who really cares? Mourning the death of a loved one? If any of this is your life, then join the ranks of millions who are walking the lonely path of grief and are looking for help.

Grief is so difficult to explain and even more difficult to get rid of once it invades the inner being of your heart. The pain takes residence there and seems to take root and spread faster than a wildfire. Except. Except when you place your hope and trust in a loving God who cares.

At first that might seem trite and so commonplace that it doesn’t even
register. “Place your hope and trust in God.” We’ve heard that hundreds of times. We’ve read it even more. Yet, when it comes to practicing that one principle, we fall so short because we give up too soon.

Trust? How do we do that? We trust by letting go of our fears and allowing somebody who is bigger, stronger, and mightier that we are to take us and hold us in the protection of His mighty arms.

Does that mean that the storms that are raging within our lives will come to an immediate halt? Most likely, the answer to that question is “no”. The storms will continue to touch our lives. The winds will be so strong they will threaten to knock us down at times. The pouring rain of tears will often drench our pillow, yet we will hold fast. We will be anchored to the Rock that is strong and secure. We will weather the storm and remain safe until the sun comes out once again. When we trust, our fear leaves and we are filled with hope.

Let go of your fear today. Trust in Him for today. Be filled with hope today. And, feel yourself grow stronger today! --Clara Hinton

“When the world has broken you down, He will lift you up!” --Clara Hinton

“In my trouble I cried to the Lord and He answered me.” -- Psalm 120:1

You Can Make it Through Today!

When we’re going through pains, trials, and loss, it seems like there is no end in sight. The bills continue to pile up. The work seems to fall more and more behind. The clutter builds until soon we can’t even find a chair to sit in. And more than anything, that overwhelming feeling of loneliness seems to be worse than ever!

Does it ever end? Does the sadness ever go away when we’ve lost someone? Do we ever find a place in our hearts for joy again? Can we ever feel whole when we’ve been torn apart by disaster and pain? Grief pushes us onto a new road that we’ve never traveled before and the path seems all uphill, rocky, and impossible to climb!

Hold on! Stop right where you are and take a few minutes to reflect, to catch your breath, and to understand that today is one day, and you can make it through! You can take things hour by hour, until you can say with positive affirmation, “I’ve made it!” That’s all we’re ever expected to do. We need only to make it through today.

Expect the sunrise to come with brilliance and strength and new hope. Today is almost gone, yesterday is over, and tomorrow is a brand new beginning with opportunities for new hope and new miracles.

Don’t confuse mourning your loss with forgetting how to live. It’s a difficult climb to reach that point of getting there, but when you do you will know it. The flowers will gain back their brilliant colors. The sky will once again look bright blue. The warmth of the sunshine will touch your soul. And, you will no longer feel alone.

If you are struggling with loss and pain today, take some time right now to pause and rest your soul. Remember that tomorrow is a brand new day with new strength and new hope! You can do it! – Clara Hinton

“I can live today, and I can place hope in a brighter tomorrow!” --Clara Hinton

“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” --Isaiah 40:31

When All You Do is Worry

Life can be so difficult, and there are times when things seem to pile up and get way out of our control. The bills. Sickness. Family problems. Depression. Broken relationships. The death of a loved one. Worse is when these things come at us in rapid succession without giving us any time to catch our breath or gain any new strength. We’re left feeling exhausted and depleted of all hope!

What do we do when we’ve lost every ounce of energy, every bit of desire for life that we once had? That’s a sure-fire sign that we are experiencing life-burnout and we need to step back, take a long, hard look at the real picture, and then call on God for extra help.

God has given us promises of being our very present help in trouble. He says that He is our shield and protector. He tells us that He is our Shepherd and cares so deeply about each of us that he even has the hairs on our head counted! But, when we’re going through painful sorrow, it’s hard to believe all of this is true! That’s when we need to hold fast to our Father even more, and cling to His word and make that our security blanket.

Look to the skies and be reminded of the One who created the heavens. Feel the gentle breeze against your face and know that it is the whisper of God reminding you He is near. Watch the sunbeams dancing and know that God is touching you with His very breath. God is real. He is alive. And, He will carry you through whatever problem and pain is touching your life! He gives the hope and peace to carry on! --Clara Hinton

“Worry never accomplishes anything except giving you extra wrinkles and a big headache! Let go and let God!” --Clara Hinton

“And now Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in Thee.” --Psalm 39:7

When Hope Seems Distant

Whenever grief enters our lives, it is often described as feeling like a hole has been placed right in the center of our hearts and nothing in the world can ever fill that void. That’s grief at its worst, and for a long time it hurts like nothing we’ve ever felt before. Loss touches every area of our living, and we feel drained, and devoid of all hope.

Well meaning people urge us to move on in life and our grief will diminish. While this is true to a degree, the one thing we need the most is hope. We need some kind of assurance that tomorrow will be a better day than today. We want to know that we will not always feel so alone and sad. We need something to assure us that joy will come in the morning.

God, in His infinite love and care for us, knew that we would need to know with absolute assurance that hope is still alive within our grieving hearts, so He gave us daily reminders to serve as hope boosters. All we have to do is look to the heavens, and we can see the mighty works of God. We see the sun, the stars, the moon, the clouds, and the vast expanse of the sky. All of those are reminders of what a mighty God we have as our Father.

God did not design a world of chaos and despair, but rather a world of beauty and miracles. When we look at the intricate makings of a flower, our hearts fill with hope because we know that if God cares that much for a flower, He truly cares for each one of us! We are never alone. Hope lives within our hearts forever! – Clara Hinton

“Every new day is a gift of hope sent from God.” --C. Hinton

“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” --Psalm 19:1