My Hope Is Built

You stand at the altar and repeat the wonderful words of the marriage vows. As you exit the church, a congregation of loved ones and friends send up cheers of congratulations. But now, the marriage has fallen apart; here you are separated, perhaps even divorced. And instead of applause, you hear the sound of your tears and the footsteps of fear. You feel hurt, broken, empty, abandoned. The shame of failing is so overwhelming that for a while, you do an Oscar-winning job of faking for the loved ones, even the congregation, that all is well. All the while, the enemy is grabbing at your self-esteem and grabbing at your hope. But with God, there is no faking it. He sees and knows it all, even the thoughts and feelings you would like to pretend you don’t have. The congregation may no longer be cheering for you, but God is. Rather than letting you spiral into hopelessness, he cheers you on to hope again. He heals, he fills up the empty places in your heart, and he comforts. He restores hope. No one rebuilds hope like God.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” (Psalms 42:11 KJV). This book includes poetry, devotionals, and encouragement to strengthen you as you partner with God in rebuilding your hope. Tears, fears, and jeers—he hears them all and responds with cheer.