“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew.”
– St. Francis de Sales,
French saint & bishop of Geneva (1567 - 1622)

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”
-Romans 8:28

Past Questions of the Month:

Hope and Assurance

This website was created for those acquainted with mental illness and in need of hope and assurance.

Question of the Month

If you have a question that you would like addressed, or have comments or suggestions, please let me hear from you. Contact: carolyn@hopeandassurance.com

For most of my life, I‘ve been unhappy. I really don't care whether I live or die. The one thing I've wanted in life I've never received. I've just about lost all hope of my dream coming true. What's the use?

I can hear the deep sadness and pain shouting out from the words you've written. “Most of my life” is a very long time for any one to have their hope delayed. I want you to know that as a child of God, you are not a victim of your circumstances and that God is in the business of working things out for our good even when it was meant to harm us.

Have you considered the possibility that God is waiting on you to get ready to receive the blessings you have asked God for all these years?

Would a loving father set his son up to fail at what he's always dreamed of doing? Would a wise father give his daughter any gift that she was not prepared to receive good from?

Perhaps your greatest desire is for a loving spouse and family. Are you knowledgeable and competent in the skills required to attract, develop and maintain happy and caring relationships? Are you proficient in communicating effectively? Are you open and honest when you speak? Are you a good listener? Do you know how to express anger and frustration appropriately? Are your personal boundaries clear? Can you forgive yourself and others and laugh at your mistakes? Are you willing to put someone else's needs above your own? These are some of the ingredients of lasting and loving relationships. Without them, our responses to the inevitable challenges and frustrations of a marriage and family may only serve to deepen our sadness and pain.

Can you see God's desire to protect as He waits on us to be ready to receive our requests?

If we are asking God for healing, do we expect Him to do it all? After all, we may say, He is all powerful and can do anything.

God has something in mind much more important than our healing or our happiness. He has our eternity in mind. That is His focus and primary concern in all that He allows in our life. He loves us too much to let us miss the greatest blessing He can bestow.

God will do whatever it takes for us to get to know Him personally as Friend and Savior. He loves us that much. Sometimes, it is only suffering that gets us to stop and take the time to know Him.

If nothing is changing and prayers go unanswered, maybe its time to do something different. Maybe its time to become informed and trained in the skills, thoughts and ways that are present in the lives of others who enjoy and benefit from the very blessings you desire.

Consider carefully the counsel others have given through the years. Sometimes others can see the big picture while we stay preoccupied with the upsetting details. A wise person seeks out the guidance of the Godly for understanding and direction.

Have you reached the point where you are willing to make whatever changes God impresses upon you? This can be a very good place to be. We may be motivated to do what we've never done before or what we've said we would never do.

Perhaps it is time to do things God's way. Get to know Him and His word so that what you do will be pleasing to Him. When we please Him, we are doing what we were made to do. When we are doing what we were made to do, our God-given dreams become reality.

Change always begins with us. Get busy and actively pursue your dreams God's way; so that God can bless when He knows you are ready to receive, enjoy and prosper.