Being full of hope in the midst of uncertain situation or season may seem difficult. Actually it really is. You may have read that Icai received a cancer diagnosis in July 2023. When we first found out she has a tumour in her chest, potentially cancerous, we were in disbelief. How could this happen? Where did we go wrong? What’s going to happen next? We had so much in mind that we don’t even know how to process them. I felt like uncertainty shrouded everything.
You may not have been in an exact same situation but most of us would have felt uncertain or even hopeless at some point of our life. Or maybe you’re in such situation now. We live in such a broken world that it’s inevitable to feel that way.
On the night the doctor informed us that the tumor was likely cancerous,I cried.
I was very scared, thinking of worse case scenarios.
It was a tough battle in the mind.
And then Icai hugged me and at that moment, I felt comforted.
She said she’s scared too but she understands that God has a purpose for this season.
I knew that, I grew up in church hearing it almost every week.
I was overwhelmed by all the negativity and forgot.
I thank God that I have a life partner that reminded me.
“In sickness and in health”
We really got to live our wedding vows more than ever.
And most importantly, this season brought us closer to God.
And that we believe is the main purpose of this unexpected and ‘uncertain’ season.
Clip from our Online Zoom Wedding in 2020
Some things never change, my eyes are still sweaty and I’m still amaze and in awe of Icai‘s faith. ❤️
Finding Hope
So how can we have hope in an uncertain situation? As for Icai and I, we choose to look at the situation believing that our God has a plan and purpose for every season. Not just any plan and purpose but perfect plan and purpose. When we understood that, we can be in full hope knowing that everything will be okay.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“”For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.””
Isaiah 55:8-9
Did our fears vanish? Far from it. However, armed with the knowledge of God’s boundless love for us and His control over our lives, we confront our fears with this unwavering truth.
Sharing with you one of my favourite worship songs that reminds me of God’s perfect love that casts out fear.
“You split the seas so I can walk right through it,
You drown my fears in perfect love
You rescued me so I can stand and say
I am a child of God.”
Hopeless Situation vs Faithful Interpretation
In Genesis 45, Joseph who was sold by his brothers had this to say to them,
“4Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.“
Genesis 45:4-8 NIV
Joseph’s situation was pretty hopeless. Hated by his brothers, and was even sold by them, but Joseph understood the purpose of the situation. He interpreted the situation that God sent him to Egypt for him to save lives.
The Spirit of God gives us the ability to interpret a situation according to our faith and not our feelings. I can’t speak for Joseph but I would have easily shown anger towards people who would have sold me. But Joseph’s faith understood the purpose of the situation.
Hope in God
When we feel hopeless, cry out to God.
It’s okay to feel sad or disappointed but we should not allow these to define our season.
Lift up everything to Him, your fears, worries and doubts.
Imagine Him carrying all the burden and all the restlessness for you.
Each of our seasons has a purpose.
Hindsight vision is always 20/20.
One day, when you look back you’ll realise why you had to go through such season.
It’s a preparation, an equipping season for something BIG and AMAZING God has in store for you.
We can be full of hope in the midst of an uncertain situation if we have God in our lives.
Icai and I pray that in whatever season you are in right now, feeling uncertain or hopeless, that you will put your hope and trust in the Lord, knowing that He loves you, and He is and will always be with you in any season. Amen.
Ending this with a verse from Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
