The Audacity Of Hope In The Middle Of Despair [In Aleppo]

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” ~ Romans 5:5 NIV

What does it really mean to hope? Has hope ever disappointed you? Has there ever been an occasion where you lived in hope for the odds that were against you to turn in your favor and it did not?

The beautiful thing about hope is that when friends have forsaken you, there is chaos all around you, and you are in the deep dark valley of despair, scenes of sheer terror and grief are all around you, HOPE is all we have left to hold on to.

My day began pretty much the same as any other day – on my knees praying for others, praying especially for my children (biological and spiritual). I was lost for words on occasion through my prayers and the tears that were streaming down my face did not make it any easier for me.

I don’t know every intimate details of their struggles, but I know enough to feel their pain and to taste of their heartbreak with situations they are faced with at the moment.

But then, not too long after wrapping up my prayer, grim images of what is taking place in Aleppo flashed across my computer screen. What I saw through those images, words failed me! Tears are my only language right now. What is happening in Aleppo is a tragedy of epic proportions.

I would realize also that what seem to me as trouble in my life and in my children’s life is nothing to compare to what others around the world are suffering on a daily basis – the uncertainty they face in a war torn city.

My questions then, “when will the atrocities end? When will the blood shedding stop? When will we see the smiles upon the faces of these people? When will the children be able to live a normal life – to play, to laugh and giggle?

When will we ever hear of a safe passageway for the people to get out to a safe haven of rest from war torn cities and for the wounded to get the urgent medical attention they need?”

The truth is I don’t have the answer to these and the other questions that’s troubling me right now. You may not have the answers either.

However, one thing is certain, we have ‘the audacity of hope’ in the middle of despair and all this chaos taking place out there. The beautiful thing about hope is that it do not put us to shame, neither will it put us in utter confusion, frustrate us nor disappoint us.

The situation in Aleppo is desperate. It is heart-rending. But far beyond the shadows of death, there is life and yes there is hope! God through His Holy Spirit has given us the gift of hope and we ought to hold on to it that no matter what it looks like, change will come. It may not be when we want it to, but things will get better in the end.

We have our High Priest Jesus Christ who is touched by our grief and our infirmities. (Hebrews 4:15) Through Him, we live in hope that one day, there will be no more sadness, pain, grief, death, or tears but we will be transformed to a new world of love, peace, joy and happiness.

Never lose hope! Never waiver in your faith!

Photo: From ‘The Syrian Campaign’ Facebook page