A Letter of Hope for the Hurting Soul
Where are you God? Why are you allowing me to go through this?
At times it feels like life is just a compilation of one trial after another. We are either in a trial, going into a trial, or coming out of a trial. But what if there is a more hopeful way to look at it? What if there is a better perspective to help bring us through?
Sometimes God gives us hope through his word. Sometimes he gives us hope through his people who apply the word to their daily lives. Church history provides us with an overabundance of examples where brothers and sisters find hope in God. Here is one way God's people find hope through the life of Andrew Murray.
In 1895, a South African Missionary named Andrew Murray sustained a lasting injury after a traveling accident. Since that point, he lived with excruciating back problems for the rest of his life. His days with this pain were extremely dark, so he wrote a letter of hope to himself entitled, "In Times of Trouble Say." Here are the points he wrote.1
God placed me in this trial for a reason. Even though I may not understand what is happening, God is in control, and I trust in him.
God’s love and grace will meet me wherever I am. God will give me the strength and grace to live victoriously in the light of this trial. I am his child, he will hold me fast.
God is crafting a special type of blessing because of this trial. He’s showing me lessons I would never learn and graces I would never know. Although I may not see it, he is working all things together for good for those who love him.
At the right time God will bring me through. He makes all things beautiful in his time and brings me through in his perfect time. Only he knows when this is; so, I trust in him.
So I am here in this trial (1) by divine appointment, (2) in divine love, (3) under his divine plan, (4) for this divine time. In Scripture, God comforts us saying:
And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.
Psalm 50:15
Life is more than being in or going through or coming out of trial. God is creating newfound joys, hopes, loves, and peace because he is working for your good, even in this. But sometimes we need reminding like Andrew Murray, who wrote a letter to himself.
When you’re going through dark times, how will you remind yourself of this message of hope? What letter would you write to yourself?
The letter that Andrew Murray wrote was printed and published and has given hope to thousands. And the letter you write may bring hope to others around you as well.
1. This list is a modernized paraphrase inspired by Andrew Murray's letter to himself. You can learn more about his life and the story behind this letter in a biography called Andrew Murray: Christ's Anointed Minister to South Africa.
