Choosing Hope

<p>I am one of millions of people worldwide who suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder), a type of depression common in places with limited sunlight due to short winter days. When I begin to fear winter&rsquo;s frozen curse will never end, I&rsquo;m eager for any evidence that longer days and warmer temperatures are coming.</p> <p>The first signs of spring&mdash;flowers successfully braving their way through the lingering snow&mdash;also powerfully remind me of the way God&rsquo;s hope can break through even our darkest seasons. The prophet Micah confessed this even while enduring a heart-rending &ldquo;winter&rdquo; as the Israelites turned away from God. As Micah assessed the bleak situation, he lamented that &ldquo;not one upright person&rdquo; seemed to remain (Micah 7:2).</p> <p>Yet, even though the situation appeared dire, the prophet refused to give up hope. He trusted that God was at work (v. 7)&mdash;even if, amid the devastation, he couldn&rsquo;t yet see the evidence.</p> <p>In our dark and sometimes seemingly endless &ldquo;winters,&rdquo; when spring doesn&rsquo;t appear to be breaking through, we face the same struggle as Micah. Will we give into despair? Or will we &ldquo;watch in hope for the L<smallcaps>ord</smallcaps>&rdquo;? (v. 7).</p> <p>Our hope in God is never wasted (Romans 5:5). He is bringing a time with no more &ldquo;winter&rdquo;: a time with no more mourning or pain (Revelation 21:4). Until then, may we rest in Him, confessing, &ldquo;My hope is in you&rdquo; (Psalm 39:7).</p>