The display of stars twinkled brightly above as I gazed into the sky. Mezmerized, I began to ponder how, when my heart is sad or I am struggling with a circumstance, there is always hope. How did I come to that conclusion? My mind was transported to the story of Naomi in scripture. From a full life to the loss of her husband and sons, she lost hope, but her faith remained. Long story short, when she felt defeated and hopeless, God showed her new, hope-filled future. (You can find the complete story in the book of Ruth in scripture).

When our losses or difficult times cause us to feel there is no hope for our futures, knowing God’s desire for us is to live in his joy, can redirect our hearts. When we focus on all God has done, we can trust God to bring us a new future and thus feel hopeful again. Most of us have had dark times, but here’s a thought. Even when the sky is filled with clouds and we cannot see the stars twinkle, the stars are still there. When the clouds move, suddenly what was darkness is filled with the twinkling of the stars. The light of Christ brings hope. He is not only the hope of the nations, he is the hope of our hearts!