Hope in Uncertainty: These are Birth Pains, not Death Throes

  By: Lauren Thomas 

Have you felt disappointed with the news lately? How could you not? When we are inundated with stories of death and destruction, of murder and malevolence, how could we not feel disheartened, discouraged, downtrodden?

 

But there is hope. And we find it in Scripture.

 

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. ²³ And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Romans 8:18-25 ESV

 

No matter what we see or hear in the news. Scripture reminds us that these tragedies are not the agonies of death throes, they are groanings of birth pains.

 

This doesn’t take away the heartache. People are mourning every day because of the effects of evil in this world. Tragedy and loss are terrible and hurt profoundly. But we must not lose hope. We must remind ourselves of this glorious truth:

 

These are birth pains, not death throes!

 

This is not the end. This is the unfolding of a glorious new beginning of which the children of God wait with eager expectation. For all things will be made new!

 

⁵ And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Revelation 21:5 ESV

 

We have grounds for great hope. Because we have the answer. We have redemption. We have a hope and a future. We have glory that is coming.  

 

Behold, he is coming soon. Come, Lord Jesus come.

 

Reflection:

Take some time to pour out your heart to God in prayer or journaling. What is troubling you? What fears can you cast on our caring Father? Then spend some time reflecting on any Scripture that the Holy Spirit is using to encourage you. How does the truth of Scripture change your perspective.