Live with expectation
by Annalene Holtzhausen
The end of another year is approaching rapidly and many of us are making lists of all we still need to do before we go on holiday. We have deadlines for everything to be finalised before the beginning of 2013. There’s a sense of being rushed, and Christmas shopping and holiday preparations are on our minds.
The question is ‘how are we feeling at this time of the year and how did we experience 2012?’ Many are exhausted, and their lives feel like a roller-coaster. Other folks had a very difficult year and can’t wait for a fresh start in 2013. Maybe they lost someone dear, and feel emotionally drained. Some people experienced a financial crisis. Others had relationships which were strained by conflict and tension – causing them to feel insecure and angry. There are so many different events and circumstances that have influenced our lives this year – some wonderful and positive, but others difficult and painful.
Even though your situation seems impossible to solve and has maybe been going on for many years, you need to remember that the Lord is far greater than we can ever imagine. Nothing is impossible for Him. He’s the Creator of everything and He loves you dearly – He longs for you to reach out and put your hand in His. Even if the road you must walk seems long and hard, the reward for trusting in the Lord will be far greater than anything you need to face here on earth. Don’t limit the Lord by your thoughts and what you think is possible.
The Lord says in Proverbs 1:33 – ‘But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm’ (NLT). You can experience the Lord’s peace in the midst of your pain, fear, insecurity, hurt and confusion – it’s the hope that you have in you; the expectation that the Creator of heaven and earth is on your side. Slow down and take one step at a time, trust the Lord, take responsibility for your actions and follow the Lord’s guidance towards restoration – it may take time, but it will be worth every step in the end. Let’s agree with David in Psalm 62:5 – ‘Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him’.
So I want to encourage you at the end of this year to put your trust in the Lord - give Him your exhaustion, pain, anger, hopelessness, frustrations and everything you are. Live with the expectation that there is hope and life. Lift your head again and trust the Lord for 2013 – He will never leave you nor forsake you if you choose to walk with Him.
Prayer: Father, I’m sorry if I’ve got to a place of losing hope and faith in You. Please forgive me. Help me to look up again and to trust You. I give you my life and every situation. I choose to live with expectation again, and I know that nothing is impossible when You’re in control of my life – I look forward to a new year and to live my life with hope and gladness! Amen.
Annalene Holtzhausen is on the Associate Team at Ellel, Africa. She is married to Renier, who introduced her to Ellel Ministries. She is a full-time mother to their two boys. Her passion is for the restoration of women’s hearts and for people to find their worth in the Lord.
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