"The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials."
– Chinese Proverb

"I think you ought to know about the trouble we went through… We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead."
–2 Cor. 1:8, 9

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

Life is too hard.  I try and try and nothing changes.  There are no answers to my problems.  I don’t know what to do anymore except give up.  Can you help me?

A friend’s family member was going through a most difficult time.  My friend spoke about her various family members coming together in united purpose to help this loved one.  This family is strong, courageous, bold and untiringly devoted to the good of the one they care so much about.

I thought about how wonderful it must be to have love displayed so clearly and lavishly.  Everyone was doing their part to rally around in support and refused to accept defeat.

Soon the self pity and sadness began to creep in…How I wish I had my family gathered together in the same house to help me with the hard things…If only, I had what they had…What I have is so little compared to her…Then, God reminded me of what I already had.

I heard the evangelist, Dr. Bob Pitman, speak about a common lie many of us have taken comfort in:  God will never give us more than we can bear.  The apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 1: 8, 9 wants us to know:  He will allow us to be overwhelmed and to lose hope.  We may even fear for life itself.  It is so we will no longer depend on ourselves but ON THE GOD WHO RAISES THE DEAD!

This is the God Who can do what man says is impossible.  This is the God Who knows how to help when man has no answers.  Family or no family is really not the point when there is nothing too hard or complicated for our God.

Then I thought about the 23rd Psalm.  “He prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies”.  For years, I could make no sense out of that statement.  A table full of food?  By my enemies out in a battlefield?  I just couldn’t get it.  Then, one day I did understand.

In the middle of our enemies – the problems that threaten to overwhelm and defeat us – drugs, alcoholism, divorce, depression, fear, worry, death of a loved one, (you fill in the blank) , God has prepared a table uniquely for us.  On this table He has everything we need to have complete victory.  Every weapon is there.  Every supply is in abundance.  Nothing is missing.  All we have to do is pull up a chair at God’s table and try all that He has made ready.  What we lack will be found on that table.  Problems that seem hopeless will have their answers found on that table.  Fears and worries that consume us will be calmed and quieted by what He has created to smooth the way for us.

Don’t miss this special banquet table prepared just for you by your Heavenly Father. The God Who raises the dead wants to raise you up also to a new life!