Originally posted March 2, 2014
Have you ever been dared by anyone before? Maybe it was to do something crazy like eat a whole chilli or perhaps it was an embarrassing dare. The idea of a dare is for someone to challenge you to carry out a task you would not normally do, or even necessarily want to do, in which you must demonstrate your courage or boldness.
Are you ready? Are you courageous? Are you bold? You are about to be dared.
It is impossible to have a life free of sorrow, grief or regret. You may be going through a particularly difficult time where sadness, loss, frustration, disappointment or loneliness are at the forefront of your mind. Or perhaps this is the best time of your life. Either way, if we thought for a moment we could all recall something that causes us to lament.
In the middle of the book of Lamentations, surrounded by a record of things that brought the writer grief, we find these verses:
I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”
Lamentations 3:20-24 (NLT)
The writer’s mind is full of things that cause him grief and his heart to sink, yet he dares to hope. How does he hope when his mind is filled with grief? Like any dare, he does something that takes courage and boldness. He chooses to fill his mind with the goodness of who God is, His faithfulness and His mercy. As he does he transforms his mind to a place where he can hope in God rather than be consumed with grief and loss.
Regardless of circumstances you find yourself in will you dare to hope?
A dare is only a dare if it requires boldness or courage on your part.
Will you accept? Will you choose to fill your mind with the goodness of God, His word and His promises?
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!
Psalm 30:11-12
Even if circumstances around you bring you no reason to hope, choose to praise. Thank Him for giving you new life through Jesus and praise Him for what He has said He will do even if you cannot see it happening.
Decide to break the silence and pondering the reasons to lament. Choose today to praise.
God has something phenomenal right up ahead for those who dare to hope in Him.
It starts with a dare. Will you accept?
Dare to hope.
