Feeding Hope – A Post from Sally McClung
From Sally in South Africa whose husband has locked-in syndrome while she is battling cancer.
Floyd is better than last week. The chest congestion lingers, but it’s not quite as heavy. He is in good spirits. There had been very limited opportunity to visit Floyd the past month, but that has stopped again now because of Covid. Please pray for healing of his chest, for peace, and for comfort for Floyd.
I’ve been home from the hospital for 2 weeks now. I’m definitely feeling better and gaining a little strength, but it’s very slow going. I pray for full healing and restoring of strength and health.
The Covid virus is raging here right now. There is a mutant strain that is causing it to spread more rapidly. Last night the President announced that we are moving from Level 1 to Level 3 of lockdown restrictions. Hopefully this will help.
In times of difficulty, one of the first things the enemy does is try to get us to lose hope. Proverbs 29 tells us that without vision (hope), the people perish. When hope dies in our hearts, it impacts everything else in our lives. Hope is the flame that needs to burn bright in our hearts to keep us focused on God and His plans for us.
I’ve always known this, believed this, but I’ve been learning again how important it is during my time in the hospital and in my recovery time now. God has been speaking very clearly into my heart to “keep hope alive.” It’s something I must actively work at. It doesn’t just happen. There are several key things I’ve found helpful.
The first is to focus on the promises in the Word. His Word is powerful – a mighty tool that we can use. It’s important to read, speak out, and pray His promises. I claim them as I lift them in prayer. He is always with us – never leaves us. He goes before us to guide us. He leads us through the valley times – we don’t need to fear anything we are walking through – He is right with us, helping us along the way. He is our Rock, our strength, our shelter, our help. He is all we need. In difficult moments, I focus on Him. His grace helps me get through the hard times.
I’ve also found it important to keep my mind occupied – staying centered on the promises I’ve read. If I let my mind wander, it can easily lead to discouragement, hopelessness, and anxiety. I love the verse from Philippians 4:8 that speaks to this. “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Such clear instruction about the power and importance of what we think about. When I’m struggling or having a hard day, I find this verse to be such a powerful guideline.
Praise and worship is another important key. I’ve found that in my weakness as I choose to speak out statements of worship, it releases power and strength to me. Worship is powerful. The Lord loves our worship. I recently read that there are more verses in the Bible about praise and worship than there are about prayer. God knew how much we would need the “tool” of worship. It dispels darkness. It strengthens us. It puts things in their right perspective. It takes our attention from ourselves and our needs to the Almighty God who meets our needs.
Focusing on His promises, keeping our thoughts centered on Him, and worshiping Him for His goodness – all are helpful in keeping hope alive in our hearts.
“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
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” Psalm 33:22
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5
My hope is in Him!!
Love,
Sally
