faith unfaded

I first started thinking about this post after hearing the song one morning. The message of hope was so prevalent in the 2022 hit that I had to share it.

🎶 I know there’s gonna be some brighter days
I swear that love will find you in your pain
I feel it in me like the beating of life in my veins
I know there’s gonna be some brighter days

I remembered all too well the feeling of hopelessness, pain echoing through my heart and mind. I couldn’t see a brighter day, wasn’t even sure I believed in the promise of hope.

By God’s grace I persevered.

When my world came alive again—in bright beautiful colors—I had one desire. To share this message of hope with others. I couldn’t say when, or how, but I could guarantee one thing: God has promised brighter days.

Three of my favorite verses that spread hope are Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 37:4, and John 10:10.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

But as I sat down to write tonight, I found myself needing the reminder as well. Sometimes it’s not about reaching a dead end or the bottom of a deep hole for your world to grow a little dimmer.

Sometimes it just takes one little worm.

A physical illness that doesn’t quite go away. Familial estrangements. Financial struggles. Caregiving. Mounting responsibilities.

Sometimes I feel like a helium balloon soaring through the sky, floating high above the fray. Then one little jab causes me to drift downward. Another, then another, and I’m fighting to stay airborne and plug up the holes as I’m going down. Eventually I saunter to the ground, the puncture wounds sinking me into a valley.

One thing about a valley, though, is that it is where we grow. Where we learn lessons. Where we are tested. Where we study to show ourselves approved. (2 Timothy 2:15)

So I will use this opportunity to be still, to listen, to heal. I will stand on the promise of hope. Hope that I will recover physically. Hope that relationships may be mended. Hope that the future holds blessings I can’t yet see.

But mostly I hope that my world soon resumes its 120-crayon box life, so I can trade this paltry 8-count back in!

https://youtu.be/oWRk1V_UHPQ?si=2vwbLkF80svm3zOO