Remembering!

Lamentations 3:19 (The Message)

It's a Good Thing to Hope for Help from God

19. I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed. I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there's one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:

How my heart hurts for folks that have no hope that life will get any better for them. They are convinced everyone is out to get them, and that all Christians are hypocrites. Just today my husband (who is a minister) had this conversation with a young man dealing with drugs and alcohol. He was certain of course that none of it was his fault and if other people had been different then he would not be where he is at. He spent several hours sharing the love of God with him. Planting seeds that we are praying will begin to grow. Unless you have ever "hit bottom" or know someone personally that has, it is hard to explain the hopelessness that they have. Utter aloneness and feeling like no one cares. Unfortunately this is true for some. How they got there is irrelevant, it is how do you help them that is the question.
Of course Jesus is the answer for them, but they are not yet ready to hear. I know we will do much praying for this young man, believing he will be saved from eternal destruction. Please pray with us for him, and so many more that we all will come in contact with. It is our job to show the love of God to people that have lost their way and pray that they will remember to get a "grip on hope."