Impossible Situations Require Hope

The world is filled with two types of people: those that live with fear and those that live on purpose and for a great purpose (in faith). Those who live with faith have hope. Hope is found in the reality that the Lord delights in turning impossible situations into opportunities to show His amazing love for people. The story of Zechariah as found in the book of Luke gives us an insight into what hope looks like when all seems lost.

John and his wife, Elizabeth, were old and had no offspring, they faced an impossible situation. However, God made a way as only he is able to do. Here are 3 Lessons to Instill Hope in Impossible Situations from the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. - Luke 1:5-25

1 – Our impossible situations set the stage for the Lord to do His best work.

We all have seemingly impossible circumstances facing us from out of control children, illness, marriage turmoil, finances, addiction. Zechariah and Elizabeth faced a physical impossibility to have a child due to their advanced age. Regardless of the circumstance, they all set the stage for Jesus to show his infinite power and grace!

2 – The Lord’s delays are not necessarily His denials.

We can often misinterpret waiting as a “no” from God. Zechariah and Elizabeth must have wondered if God had said no to their plea for a child. God’s timing and method always differ from our own. Rather than allowing these moments to cause us to doubt, we can use them as means for growth by setting aside impatience and anger with reassurance from truths the Holy Spirit reminds us of.

3 – When the Lord intervenes, His surprises are always for His immediate glory and ultimate good.

Contrary to popular opinion, the Lord does not operate as a heavenly Santa Clause. We made a mess of His world and ought to endure its consequences with no saving. However, God promised to intervene by becoming one like us in the person of Jesus Christ. When God gave Zechariah and Elizabeth a baby, he did so primarily for His glory and for their good.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28

All things includes the unexpected like worldwide pandemics and the times when God says no. Even so, we have hope that God makes promises that He will always, always keep. As a result, we can set aside anxiety and worry about the future and give them to God.