Keep hope alive

staying strong in challenging times

Photo by Pinakeen Bhatt on Unsplash

For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.”

A compulsory break
I sat at my desk staring at the blank screen in front of me, thinking of the title for this post. “Light at the end of the tunnel”, nope; “Nothing God can not do”, sounds good but nope; “Keep hope alive”, yeah that’s it. Well, it could have been anything… the title doesn’t matter now as far it resonated with the message. For me, it’s the message and yeah we’re getting to it.
Welcome back, guys. Not sure you noticed the break. Maybe you did, but you know there have been no newsletters for months. And “ooh, why!” We’re sorry, what happened”? Relax, I haven’t told you anything happened yet. I think I should let you know buddy. Well, I won a jackpot and decided to fling the newsletter thing away.

Lol, just kidding. I actually got hospitalised all those months of absence. So now you know.
Men, I was damned sick (forgive my tone) and you know what…! I miss you. I guess life has really been busy with you. Not to worry I’m doing well now. A few weeks ago after my surgery, I was thinking … I got to reach out and let you know what happened. And today I want to put out this word to you, no matter what happens “keep hope alive”. It’s just a passing phase and things will be great again. Wherever you are now, it will only get better, so keep on keeping on.

A reason to live
Months ago I was close to the gates of death. I went through the valley of the shadow of death itself and I got to the gates. Yeah, the gates. The place was really hot that I was losing my mind. A really terrible experience you know. I thought I won’t be able to handle it. It was so much to bear. I felt the pangs of death. The depression doubled.
I held on to God for life, looked him face to face and said “Dad, I got some assignment to do on earth”, and I was right. Lots of work here staring me in the face right now. I had a strong reason to live. I won’t be going yet. I held on to the promises of God like everything in me depended on it, and sure it does.

You are the one … you can handle it
Sometimes when the chips are down, and you stand face to face with uncertain days, you may feel that’s the end of you. Your heart becomes frail and begins to doubt. You could forget the promises of God, and the voice of the enemy becomes louder: “Now where is that God you claim to serve”? Hmm… it’s tough you know! So many thoughts and options to deal with. It’s easier to describe with ink than it is in reality. I tell you, however tough life hits you, keep hope alive. God got your back. Quietly He stands with you, watching. “The one who keeps Israel never sleeps nor slumbers”. You’re the Israel of God. You have to think about everyone whose life depends on yours. They need you; we need you. Just like God told Joshua, be of good courage. It’s true, you have to keep hope alive. It’s not all rosy all the time, you need challenging times to learn how to war, be resilient, tough and rugged. You say, well “You won’t understand, it’s not that easy. mine is different”. I know, I know... but what would you rather do when the storm is out? You can’t faint off course.
What tough time are you facing: health challenges, unemployment, toxic relationship, temporal setbacks, bad habit, family issues, academic, business, career, whatever? The last sentinel to die should be hope. You just have to keep hope alive. Don’t throw in the towel yet. Stay strong soldier, you can handle it.

You will need all the help you can get, and I am here for that. Don’t be a stranger, get in touch. Cheer up, happy new month.