There Is Hope

Gò0dNews for Parents

There Is Hope

by Ashley McPhearson

Two years ago, I was going through a divorce, my hours were being decreased at all three of my jobs, and I was debating on staying in Chattanooga. I started drinking every day before and after work—shutting everyone and anything out. Drinking liquor made all of the painful, disheartened, forsaken, and fearful feelings of the unknown go away for the moment. When I would be sober, my mind would just race of the “what if”—thoughts that I was not good enough surrounded me. I began to question if there really was true love, if someone could love me despite my abilities.

Three days. The bills, my children’s wants and needs, and grocery shopping would not allow my heart’s desire at that time. The first two days were the worst, but the third day was the first of a new beginning. On that third day, I was reminded of Jesus’s words while He was nailed to the cross. “Abba Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36).

Jesus was facing the worst moment of His life, but also the best. Even though we have days, months, and sometimes years when we will feel neglected, it is important that we learn and live—to the best of our ability—the example Christ had set for us. In the darkest hour of Christ’s life, he cried out to the Father for strength. “Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).

That was my prayer and cry among other words. Three weeks later, I started to see and feel joy, love, and happiness. “And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

One day, I entered my patient’s home like any other day. To my surprise, he was sitting at his desk with the phone in his hands. He told me, “Ashley, my young brother is about to call. I told him about you and I think you two would be good together.” I started smiling and replied, “Okay.”

Ten minutes later, the phone rings. That phone call led to one year of dating, and now we are engaged to be married. Of course, with trials and tribulations. But nevertheless, everything I have prayed for when it comes to a significant other was answered.

We all have days that are more stressful than others. There are a few things we must remember: Jeremiah 3:14

says, “Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord, for I am married unto you; and I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion” and 1 Corinthians 10:13 states, “There hath no temptation taken hold of you but such as is common to man. But God is faithful; he will not suffer you to be tempted beyond that which ye are able to bear, but with the temptation will also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Once we truly learn to let go and trust in the Lord wholeheartedly, we will always see the blessing in the midst of the trials and tribulations.

About The Author Ashley McPhearson and her family have been in Cleveland for three years since moving from Chicago. She writes stories, plays, and blogs about Jesus Christ.