Are the trials you have been through or problems you are currently facing causing you to lose hope? Writes Eric Toleafoa of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Unfortunately, in a world that is full of fear, stress, and sadness, there is more pain than you can heal, there are more differences than you can mediate, and more uncertainty than you can make sense of.

Hope is an antidote to feelings of despair and especially when facing the many life challenges that we are experiencing even today.

And no doubt people are searching for hope. And so, in times like these, where do we go to find comfort and hope?

Jeremiah 29:11 echoes this reminder, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

When life seems difficult. It may feel like God has forgotten about you, leaving you to struggle on your own.

Yet in the background of Jeremiah 29:11, we are reminded that God spoke these words to His people, not when times were easy, but when times were hard.

They endure seventy years of captivity; they had experienced great suffering. And in the midst of all that…we see the hope of God shine through.

We know from this story that God didn’t leave his people in the tough trials.

And he won’t leave us there either.

He walks us through, reminding us that his plans are for good, for a future, for a hope.

He is right there with us, and breathes confidence and peace, so that we can navigate our way through these struggles, and be able to come out the other side, stronger, and faith filled.

God always has a way of turning life challenges around for the greater good so you can be a blessing.

Hope is what sustains you during the hard times and bring even more fulfillment to the good times.

A life of hope is a life marked by optimism, regardless of where you find yourself. It does not mean that you are always happy or that you will not feel emotions of hurt, sadness, or anger, but it does mean that your view of your circumstances—and those of the world around you—goes beyond what is actually happening.

If you find yourself facing hard times today, or maybe you’ve just walked through a difficult year, Jeremiah 29:11 is a great reminder that there’s hope ahead.

God has not finished with you yet. Jeremiah 33:3 God says... “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

He will help you grow in strength and perseverance through these trials.

He has good in store, great purpose in all that you walk through, no matter how hard it may be.

God sees the big picture of our lives, and He's aware of every little detail. He knows what He's doing, even when we can't see it. He often works behind the scenes every day, in the places where we may not always understand His plans. And even through all our seasons of waiting.

We can trust that God has our best interest in mind. He's got our back. He is with us right now and He will continue to be with us as we move into the future.

This gives us peace in knowing we don't have to try hard to control it all. We can let go of the need in trying to figure it all out and in striving to make things happen because “…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

May you continue to “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12