She was broken and hurting. Depressed and in despair. Publicly humiliated by a successful and well-known man – her husband – breaking his wedding vows. Their friends knew, but no one told her. How long had they known? What kind of fool had she played? She was destroyed. She felt shame. Was there any hope? There is hope for the hurting. There is hope for you.
I Have No Hope for the Future
The charm and charisma of her husband somehow mesmerized their friends. He was still included. She was the weeping mother of two small children. She saw no future. There was never any semblance of hope through reconciliation. Unfair was the dominant thought.
Hope for a New Life
But God. But God in his faithfulness reached through her darkness, into the numbness of this beauty tossed aside, and gradually she received the Hope for new life, for new opportunities, and joy regained. His Presence began to light her way.
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are….!” I John 3:1 NIV
I love that the word lavished is used. Lavished – more than what is necessary – abundantly, with disregard to saving, although expensive – sumptuous, opulent, and extremely costly. Thank you, Lord, Father, God! Your blessings are lavished on your children. We seek love, affirmation, forgiveness, and your Presence.
A New Hope for the Future
God reached down and lifted up this young woman – his child – and gave her new vision of a future, inspired her to become a professional nurse, enabled her to be a strong and loving mother, and eventually to deal with the forgiveness issue.
She opened her life to God’s word and teaching, allowed Christian women to surround her and support her, and stepped out of a world of feeling the victim to becoming a conqueror through Christ. A child of the King! Worthy, loved, joyful, compassionate, abounding in the promise of Jesus who said, “I have come to give you Life.” She claimed the promises and was astounded at the strength and power that she felt.
Faith in Jesus
Her worth in Christ, the strength of His presence, the fellowship of other believers, her dependence upon the promises of God – all formed a beautiful picture of the resilience we have in Christ. We are stronger than we can even imagine when our faith is in Jesus.
Women caring for women is essential. This beautiful young lady found no ongoing help from her group of couple friends. Her parents stepped in to help with the children, but were helpless to deal with her emotional needs. It was in a small group of women who had experienced hurt and despair – not all in the same manner – but from those who had grown more resilient in the successful maneuvering through their own deep losses. They knew the answer was faith in Jesus Christ, fellowship with believers, and taking it one step at a time.
God Has Given Her a New Future
This precious young lady, a daughter of the King, was loved and encouraged by two or three women as she regained her confidence as a mother, a daughter, a friend, and as a woman growing in the grace and truth of our Lord. She received her degree and now has a supervisory position, an excellent salary, and holds her head high in the community where she lives. The former husband’s narcissistic control and disregard of her are in the far past. God has given her a new future.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness, Oh Lord.” Lamentations 3:22-23.
Watch the Great News video below to confirm your salvation experience in Jesus. May your walk with Him give you great confidence and abiding joy throughout your life.
For kids content on the subject of learning the character of Jesus click here.
