God never promised we wouldn't experience hardship. But He did promise to never leave us. Read some of these reminders:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10
God hears our cries of pain and heartache. He sees our tears that fall and catches every one. In Psalm 56:8, David writes, "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book."
In ancient times, small bottles called "lachrymatories" were worn on a string around the neck of mourners to catch the tears that fell throughout the mourning process. Additionally, as soldiers went off to war, their wives were said to have cried into tear bottles and saved them until their husbands returned from battle. Their collected tears would show the men how much they were adored and missed. When David writes, "You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book," he creates a beautiful picture of the love and adoration God has for us.
He hasn't forgotten about us. He knows exactly where we are and what we experience. And whether we see it or not, He is involved. God hears us. He empathizes with us. The Bible talks more about God comforting His people in times of pain than rescuing His people or changing their circumstances. Romans 5:3-4 says, "We also glory in our sufferings, becuase we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." It's this hope—found only in our loving Heavenly Father—that enables us to take another step. To keep walking when all seems lost, knowing that Jesus walks alongside us. And when our sorrow becomes too great and we cannot walk, He carries us.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
This hope is not something we can "talk ourselves into" or get by looking on the bright side of things. This hope is of the supernatural or other-worldly nature, found only in the One who created it. It is available to us through the saving grace of God. No matter how dire our situation God promises to meet our needs and we know He has the power to do it. Jeremiah 32:27 says, "I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?" There is always hope. Even when we feel that God is silent, we can know God loves us and we are in His hands.
Here's the point: our hope is not in the fact that God is going to fix every problem we face in the way that we want. He rarely does. The hope is knowing God goes with us through this difficult time and comforts, strengthens, guides, and carries us through. Look at what 2 Corinthians promises us when our "earthen vessels," i.e. frail bodies, are attacked:
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
Our hope also comes from knowing that however difficult our circumstances may be, we can still trust God because He is in control. If we ask for hope, He will give it to us. Hope not in our circumstances, not in other people, not in things ultimately going our way, but hope in our Heavenly Father whose unfailing love sustains us.
There is a great line from Shakespeare's Henry V when King Henry is leading his weary English army through the heart of France for battle with a superior French force. As the battle draws near, one of Henry's officers says, "I hope the French don't come on us now." Henry responds, "We are in God's hand, brother, not in theirs." What a powerful, biblical truth. In any circumstance, no matter how dire, we are in God's hands.