All my husband Tim and I could do was hold on to hope as we sat at our kitchen table, watching our breath come out in puffs of white steam. We hoped the electricity would come back on at any moment. We experienced the worst ice storm Nashville had seen in over thirty years, leaving us without electricity for five days. Praying and hoping for the power to come back on was all we could do.

But the adversity I temporarily lived with taught me a deeper knowledge of hope. Instead of a wishful kind of hope, God was teaching me about a faith-based hope.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

~Romans 5:3-5 NLT

I learned to have confidence that my God will get me through trials and be with me the whole time. Enduring the hardships of the ice storm deepened my sense of hope. It built stability into my faith by strengthening it.

We who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.

~Hebrews 6:18-19 NLT

Finally, our electricity was restored, and ten days later, our internet service was repaired. Our faith in God is stronger, as is our hope in Him. Every day, we are grateful for the common things like utilities. God is so good. I will remember to hope in Him the next time I face a trial, knowing He’s got me.

Think of how you react when you are faced with trials and trouble. Let them give you a strong hope that serves as a trustworthy anchor for your soul.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to have a stronger hope in You, especially during struggles. Help me remember to look up and rejoice that You are in charge of everything. Help me to hold onto hope, knowing You are with me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2026: Hold Onto Hope: Angela Dolbear: All Rights Reserved.