God’s Blessing of Hope as He Cheers Me on to Wait, in My Groaning
Well-meaning and kind friends suggested they would pray for God’s “favor and blessing” so that my severe, chronic pain would disappear. So that the tribulation of 35 years of chronic illness would end. So earthly suffering and affliction would stop.
I silently cried an anguished response, “But I already have His favor and blessing!” Countless Scriptural prayers poured out to Him, becoming His love poured out to my hurting heart: God of hope, I’m groaning inwardly today. I’m waiting eagerly for all Your “sons” to be adopted, Your heirs in Christ Jesus. I’m waiting in agony for the redemption of my body (Rom. 8:23). In this temporary body, I groan, longing to put on my “heavenly dwelling” (2 Cor. 5:2). “You are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long” (Ps. 25:5).
Remind me of my brothers and sisters in Christ who also groaned to You in their suffering. As I see how You worked in the lives of those highlighted in Hebrews 11, I see You cheering me on through this “cloud of witnesses” to who You are.
Our Jesus is the God of hope;
He works it by his power;
It holds the weak believer up,
In the distressing hour.
Hope, Burnham, R., 1844. Sing to the tune of O God, Our Help in Ages Past!
Cheer me today, Lord. Since I’m “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,” help me to also “lay aside every weight.” Untangle me from every bit of ensnaring sin. By Your grace, help me to “run with endurance the race that is set before” me (Heb. 12:1).
Just as You helped other suffering believers. The world, flesh, and Satan tried to thwart them too!
The darkest cloud hope pierces through,
And waits upon the Lord,
Expects to prove that all is true
Throughout the sacred word.
Keep me from comparing my race to others, even these saints of old. You’re faithful and won’t let me “be tempted beyond [my] ability, but with the temptation”? You’ll also “provide the way of escape [that I’ll] be able to endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13). Even though my “outer self is wasting away,” my “inner self is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16). You’re cheering me on too! “For this light and momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Cor. 4:17).
True hope looks out for blessing great;
And, though they’re long delayed,
Yet hope’s determined still to wait,
Until they are conveyed.
If I endure it all, I “will also reign with” Jesus! (2 Tim. 2:12). As with all Your saints, I have “hope of eternal life,” which You (who never lie) “promised before the ages began” (Titus 1:2). You’re cheering me on just as with these foregoing saints…through waiting for my “blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!” (Titus 2:13).
Hope long will wait, and wait again,
And ne’er can give it up,
Till the blest Lamb, who once was slain,
Appears the God of hope.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
When our circumstances don’t line up with what we’d desired, imagined, and asked God for, where can we find hope that “will not disappoint?” In Jesus, our beloved Savior. Who knows? Maybe tomorrow will be the appointed day for us to see Him face to face, joining the crowd of witnesses to cheer others on! “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13 ESV).
PRAYER
Until that glorious day, with the sure hope You’ve given me in Christ, keep me hoping as I face many earthly disappointments. Keep me hoping as I sing of Your glorious hope. And this? It is all Your glorious work in this life’s tribulation. To You be all the glory and in Your glorious name, Jesus Christ, my hope, my help, my Lord, amen.
This devotion is adapted from Praying God’s Blessings in Christ as We Suffer: Scripture Prayers for the Hardest Days. (Published April 7, 2026, link forthcoming)
Lauri A. Hogle, PhD, music therapist, music educator, and church musician, heads Singing Christ’s Hope, a nonprofit ministry found at singchristhope.org. Her words and musical offerings have touched lives across the globe.
Lauri’s Bible study prayer books, including Near to God,Praying God’s Promises Into Suffering,Singing the Gospel to Job,and a children’s book, In the Valleys of God’s Love,are complemented by weekly playlist gifts for suffering Christian women. Her lifelong passion is to glorify God through music, teaching, research, and writing. By God’s gracious blessing, in 35 years of serious illness, her great joy is as wife, mother, and Nana.
You can find and contact Lauri at singchristhope.org.
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Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.