Never Give Up on Hope!

When grief hits, it hits hard and can leave us feeling very alone and without joy. Nothing tastes or looks right, and it’s next to impossible to find somebody who comes close to understanding. We feel lost.

Don’t give up hope! Deep inside of you is far more strength than you ever imagined possible. There is a wellspring of hope that is within your heart, and that hope will be released at moments when you need it most. Pay attention to the small nudges you receive. You will get many of these nudges throughout the day. Pull out an old project and finish it. Call a friend and make a coffee date. Clear away some clutter from your desk. Work outside for an hour taking in the smell of the fresh air. Return a book to the library.

While you are acting on those nudges, you will be receiving hope in many different forms. Contact with people. Contact with nature. Exercise. And, most of all getting your mind in tune with the beauty of life once again. Pay attention – your nudge of hope is here! – C. Hinton

“When I grieve, I become part of the human family.” --C. Hinton

“On the day I called Thou didst answer me; Thou didst make me bold with strength in my soul.” --Psalm 138:3

Hope Restores Our Soul!

Waking up with a smile on your heart is a near impossibility when you are experiencing the raw pain of grief. When you wake up, the feeling you get is that of a sinking spirit. The feeling that lets you know almost immediately that something is not right. In fact, that sick feeling you get in your stomach lets you know that your entire world has been invaded by an enemy we call death, and the world as you once knew it no longer exists. Grief, in its raw stage, robs us of all joy.

God, in His infinite wisdom, knew that we each would go through the lonely pain of losing someone we love. That is why He has surrounded us with so many visible assurances of His love and presence in our lives. We can see His mighty power in the rolling of the ocean waves and in the tide that comes rushing into shore. We see His love proclaimed every time there is a sunrise and sunset. We can be assured of His control over the seasons we pass through in our lives when we see new life pushing through the cold soil to usher in spring and all of its newness and beauty.

God is everywhere and is our partner through everything we endure. When we are feeling our lowest, it’s important to anchor onto God and His promises. His love is the only thing that will not change and will not leave. He endures forever and walks by our side always. He lifts us up when we fall, and He carries us when we are too weak to travel this journey we call grief alone.

Don’t be afraid to talk to God. He is with you right at this very moment. He’s our Friend – the one who will not ever leave our side. Call on Him and you will have a listening ear. Look to the heavens and be reminded that death is not the end for those who have gone on before. Death is a new beginning. It is a place where all fear, hatred, sin, and pain cannot exist.

Our grieving hearts will one day be filled with hope that overflows. When we keep looking to God for our daily strength and hope, great things will begin to happen. We will no longer feel alone, and we will cry tears of sorrow rather than tears of regret and bitterness. Hope restores our soul and gives us the strength to go on!--Clara Hinton

“When we look to the heavens, hope appears.” --Clara Hinton

“Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.” --Psalm 116:2

Finding the Courage to Mourn

It is a new year, but often the pain of past problems continues to plague your heart and brings lingering grief. Just because the date on the calendar changes does not mean that the pain in your heart will change. So, how do you gain “Hope for the Day”? How can your heart feel comforted?

To mourn is to be comforted. That sounds like something very strange, but there is truth in that teaching. To mourn is to be comforted. Mourning is not enjoyable. Mourning is not fun. Mourning hurts. If we had the choice, mourning would never be a part of our lives. But, to mourn is to be comforted.

When you find the courage to mourn – to really and truly feel your pain and share it – you will begin to notice that changes within your heart begin to take place. When the pain is released it leaves room for hope to begin doing its job. When you “let go” of your pain, you can begin to feel the heavy weight of mourning be lifted. Through your mourning, you will be shown the path to peace.

Be encouraged today! As your tears fall, know that they are being caught by the loving arms of your Savior. Know that you have angels unaware surrounding you to give you comfort. Know that your hope is much larger than your pain! --Clara Hinton

“I don’t understand everything there is to know about mourning, but I do know that I will see a day when the sun will be shining once again!” --Clara Hinton

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” –Matt. 5:4

Listen to the Whisper of God!

It’s the end of another year and so many thoughts go swirling through our minds. For many, it has been a difficult year – job loss, loss of friends, loss of a home, loss of health, and possibly one of the most lasting losses of all – the loss of a child. For some there will be no celebration at the end of the year – only a lot of tears for those dreams that were stolen away so unexpectedly.

How does a person move on? How can a person move into the New Year with joy when so much sorrow surrounds the heart? It’s not easy, but it helps to remind yourself often that you are never, ever alone in your pain. There are times when we feel alone, but the truth is that we are surrounded by hope and it is there for us whenever we call out for help.

Look at nature in any season and be reminded of the One who is in charge. Look at the majesty of the starry sky at night and know that you are counted among the stars. Listen to the sounds of the wind rustling through the trees and hear the whisper of God letting you know He is by your side. Look for the rainbow painting the sky and be assured that you have not been forgotten. Remind yourself often that hope is stronger than your pain! –Clara Hinton

“For every tear you cry, there is a seed of hope being watered.” --Clara Hinton

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me.” --Psalm 61:a

Trust, Wait, Hope! Your Day of Joy is Coming!

There is so much dismal talk about the economy, the sad state of affairs of the family, new illnesses being discovered weekly……..that it leaves a person feeling so discouraged and hopeless. Then, when the blow of the death of a child hits, it seems like the pain of this life is almost too much to bear.

Please remind yourself often that you have a Shepherd watching over you and He will never leave you alone. Your pain does not go unnoticed. In fact, every hair on your head is numbered. You are held close to the bosom of God – even when it doesn’t feel that way.

Look at the mighty heavens and remember who made them. Watch the babbling brook and remember who is in control. Cast away fear and be comforted by the fact that you are not alone. Others have walked your difficult, lonely path and are here to tell you that you will make it!!!!

There will be a day when something or someone will awaken the hope inside of you and you will know that you are going to feel life once again. There will be a day when you will rediscover joy, and it will be doubly sweet because you will see with new eyes and feel with a new heart. Trust. Wait. Hope! Your day of peace and joy is coming! --Clara Hinton

“My heart feels gratitude when I am filled with hope.” --Clara Hinton

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

We Have Been Given the Promise of Hope!

Why do things happen as they do? Why are jobs lost? Why are relationships broken? Why do children get involved in drugs? Why do people have to suffer through painful illnesses? Why are children taken from us?

I won’t pretend that I can give you the answers to these mind-boggling questions. What you’re faced with right now is way too big, too overwhelming, too personal for anyone to step in and say they have the answers.

I can tell you this for a fact, though. You are not alone. God is alive, and He proves it over and over again by leaving His signature in all of life. Look to the mountains and see His majesty. Look to nature and feel His creation. Look into the eyes of a loved one and feel His breath of life.

We have been given the promise of hope, and of knowing that we are never alone. We are provided just the right amount of love, of faith, and of hope to carry us through the darkest times of our lives. Turn to Him. Trust Him. Listen to Him as He whispers words of love and strength to us every day. You can make it, and you will make it! Hope is alive and will carry your through! -- Clara Hinton

“Every new dawn delivers new hope.” --Clara Hinton

“To Thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in Thee I trust.” -- Psalm 25:1

Hope Knows There Will Be A Better Tomorrow

Has life been a series of ups and downs lately? Have you been tossed to and fro in the sea of grief and feel like there is no way out of the churning waters? If so, then you are in need of some rest and replenishment. You are in need of some encouragement and a reminder of the sincere promise that there is joy beyond grief. You are in need of hope.

Hope is not pretending that there’s never any sorrow. It knows that our sorrows will not be this deep tomorrow. It’s knowing that we do have an inner strength to call on to help hold us together until our sorrow finds its proper place in our hearts where it also allows room for love, joy, and peace to abide. Hope knows that there will be a day when we will feel alive once again.

Look to the heavens and be filled with awe as you take in the majesty of nature. Look at the tiny butterfly fluttering around and understand that he is a reminder of hope and a new day. Look at the changing seasons and be reminded that every season has its place, and spring will arrive once
again. Be assured that you have not been left alone! --C. Hinton

“Claim a miracle just for you today and rest in the fact that hope is alive.” --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