Embracing Hope During Difficult Times

Hope—especially during difficult times—can sometimes feel like a distant dream, something we can’t quite reach. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by life’s struggles, and there are moments when it seems like everything is against us. We’ve all been there—those times when it feels like nothing is possible, when hope seems like a faraway concept, and when even our faith can feel shaken.

During these times, it can be hard to believe that things will get better, especially when life feels unpredictable and overwhelming. In those moments of doubt, we often question, “Is this really part of the plan? Why is this happening to me?” But I’ve realized that it’s exactly in those moments of uncertainty that hope has the potential to grow stronger.

A Powerful Lesson: Fear vs. Faith

Not long ago, I was scrolling through Instagram and came across a quote that really struck me: “Fear is ‘what if,’ but faith is ‘even if.'” That one line shifted my perspective completely. It resonated with me in a way that I hadn’t expected. When I thought about it, I realized that so often, when I’m afraid, I ask myself, “What if?”—what if things don’t go the way I plan? What if something goes wrong or I fail? What if I don’t get what I’ve been hoping for?

But true faith isn’t rooted in fear or the “what if” scenarios we create in our minds. Faith is rooted in “even if”—even if things don’t go according to my plan, even if life doesn’t turn out the way I imagined, I will still trust that God has a plan for me.

This distinction between fear and faith was a game-changer for me. It made me realize how often I had been held back by fear—fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of not being enough. I had allowed my fears to dictate my decisions and my sense of worth. But learning that faith is about trust, not fear, has been liberating. It’s a shift that allows room for hope to flourish, even when everything around us feels uncertain.

The Connection Between Faith and Hope

I’ve understood that faith isn’t about seeing everything clearly or knowing exactly how things will work out. Faith is about trusting, even when the future seems unclear. It’s about believing that, no matter what happens, God is there and will guide us through. It’s the belief that, even if life doesn’t turn out the way we planned, God will still take care of us, lead us to what we need, and help us find peace in the process.

This is why I feel so strongly about the connection between faith and hope. Moroni 7:42 tells us, “If a man have faith, he must needs have hope, for without faith there cannot be any hope.” To have hope, I needed to have faith—not just a belief in the eventual outcome, but a trust in God’s timing and wisdom. And over time, I began to see how faith and hope work together to help us navigate even the hardest of times.

A Journey of Learning to Let Go

For many years, I struggled with anxiety and worry. There were moments when I found it difficult to trust that everything would be okay. It wasn’t until more recently that I began to learn how to let go, how to release my grip on control and trust that God has a purpose for every situation. Do I still experience anxiety from time to time? Absolutely. But I’ve learned how to quickly replace those anxious thoughts with the faith and hope I’ve been building over time. I’m learning that faith doesn’t mean I’ll never feel worried or fear; it means that when I do, I can lean on God, knowing that He will help me through.

Faith is about trusting that, even if I don’t get what I want, I can still trust that God knows what I need. It’s about the belief that, even if things don’t go the way I envisioned, God is still in control and working things out for my good. And when we embrace faith and hope, we begin to notice the miracles and tender mercies God sends our way. We see the blessings that come from unexpected places, the quiet reassurances that He’s still with us, even when the road ahead seems unclear.

God’s Plan is Bigger Than We Can Imagine

As I reflect on my own journey, I realize just how much God has taught me. It took me seven years of infertility and countless other challenges to finally come to terms with the fact that God’s plan for me is far greater than anything I could have ever imagined. It wasn’t easy. There were times when I questioned everything, times when I doubted that I would ever have the life I had dreamed of. But looking back, I can see now that those years were part of a bigger picture—a picture that God had been painting all along, one that was more beautiful and meaningful than I could have ever envisioned.

Shifting Dreams and Embracing God’s Path

There was a time when I had dreams of becoming a teacher and coach. Later, that dream shifted to just wanting to be a coach. I longed to be a stay-at-home mom, to be there for my children. But as the years passed, I began to realize that God had a different plan for me. He opened my eyes to see my potential—not just as a woman but as a daughter of God, with a divine role in His eternal plan. That’s when everything changed for me.

I no longer cried over the very thing I had cried over for so long—the thing that caused me so much heartache—and instead, I rejoiced. Looking back at all the struggles and heartache and saw how they had shaped me into who I am today. I saw the incredible faith and hope I had gained through those years of waiting. And I knew, deep in my heart, that God’s plan was unfolding exactly as it was meant to.

Hope for the Future: Trusting God’s Timing

A year later, we still don’t have the children I had prayed for. And yes, more trials and struggles have come our way. But my perspective has shifted. I know that whatever path God has for me will lead to something far greater than anything I could have imagined. His plan is filled with more joy, peace, and purpose than I could ever have dreamed for myself.

And this is the message I want to share with you. I know that God’s plan for you is filled with love, purpose, and hope. You may not see it clearly right now, and you may feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, but I promise you—He is there. He loves you deeply, and He has not forgotten you. Your struggles do not mean you are not loved or that you are somehow unworthy of blessings. They are part of a bigger story—a story that God is writing with your life.

You Are Not Alone

I know that the things you’ve gone through, the heartaches you’ve faced, are not in vain. God is standing beside you now, comforting you, loving you through it all. He is there to wipe away your tears and guide you through the hardest moments. You are not alone in this.

So, hold onto hope. Lean into faith. Trust that, even if things don’t go the way you plan, God is leading you to a place of greater happiness and fulfillment than you can comprehend right now. I know that His plan for you will lead you to eternal joy and peace, and I truly believe that the best is yet to come.