Today’s Dr. Neil Anderson’s “Daily in Christ” devotional (adapted from the poem “Lend Me Your Hope”, author unknown) is one of my favorites. It is a tender reflection of the “koinonia” fellowship of Jesus. The loving, healing presence of Christ in us “lends hope” to others around us giving them time to get well. Imbedded in the feelings of hope is patience. Slowly and compassionately, we share our hope with the prayer that the Jesus in us will help comfort others.
Also, it’s a plea to us who are hurting without hope to not separate from the fellowship of others who intimately know Jesus. Living in our den of hopelessness alone will not lead to healing. Please open your heart up to Christ and those who truly know Him experiencing the wholeness of His presence:
Lend me your hope for awhile, I seem to have mislaid mine.
Lost and hopeless feelings accompany me daily, pain and confusion are my companions.
I know not where to turn; looking ahead to future times does not bring forth images of renewed hope.
I see troubled times, pain-filled days, and more tragedy.
Lend me your hope for awhile, I seem to have mislaid mine.
Hold my hand and hug me; listen to all my ramblings, recovery seems so far distant.
The road to healing seems like a long and lonely one.
Lend me your hope for awhile, I seem to have mislaid mine.
Stand by me, offer me your presence, your heart and your love.
Acknowledge my pain, it is so real and ever present.
I am overwhelmed with sad and conflicting thoughts.
Lend me your hope for awhile. A time will come when I will heal, and I will share my renewal, hope, and love with others.
The apostle Paul gives us the biblical basis for our comfort and hope: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
Barnabas Man 