The hiding places of men are discovered by affliction. – As one has aptly said, “Our refuges are like the nests of birds; in summer they are hidden away among the green leaves, but in winter they are seen among the naked branches.”
–J. W. Alexander

"For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever."
–II Corinthians 4:17

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

I look around and see pain and suffering every where.  People are hurting so deeply. Can there be any hope and assurance in this?

Two of the greatest positive influences on our emotional well-being are within our power to change and govern.  They consist of our attitude and thoughts about our sufferings which are a fact of life for everyone, great and small.

When clinically depressed as a young woman, I remember everything being about me. I obsessed about what I did wrong and what others did wrong to me. Thoughts about my guilt and failures and anger towards others filled up every moment.  Little time remained for my daily duties as wife and mother. The shock of losing my family to divorce left me reeling in confusion and despair.  These problems shouted out, “You are a bad, bad person because  good people live problem free.”

Now, many years later, I know my pain is not just about me. Suffering includes all of us.  My sufferings can have a honorable purpose that  transcends any wrongdoing, shortcoming or deserved punishment. They can be a direct conduit to God as they remind us of Christ’s suffering for us.

Suffering is not just about us.  It is much bigger than we are. “So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you.”  (I Corinthians 1:6)

God can take our very worst nightmares and use them to hasten the process of making His best happen in the lives of others.  The suffering that forces us to taste the many bitter forms of death has the power and purpose to be used to bring life, healing and faith. God specializes in turning what is meant for harm into an action plan of good for those who love God.

As we allow God to give us His grace and peace, we find He is the source of every mercy and the God Who comforts us.  (I Corinthians 1:2,3)  Being comforted can mean receiving strength, encouragement, guidance and hope to deal with our troubles.

We cannot have everything we want our way; but, we can have God’s very best for us His way.  His perfect love satisfies as we learn to trust our “must haves” to Him. God wants us to trust Him for Who He is and not just for what He can do.

Whatever you have lost in your life, use it to help others find meaning. Look beyond your sorrow and see the joy and high privilege in passing on encouragement, wisdom, understanding, hope and comfort to others.  Love and enjoy what and who you do have. Don’t agonize endlessly over what you can’t have right now. Look beyond this brief life and understand that this life is not about this life. It is about the life eternal that is to come.