These are the points where our heroes think all is lost. There is no hope. You might as well give up and go home. Even Samwise is ready to quit.

When Hope Seems Lost

These moments of dark are what make the light all the more bright!

The same though is true of us in our everyday lives. We see the darkness and give up.

A pinched nerve that never relents.
A tumor that won’t shrink.
A weak heart.
Your child suffering from leukemia–again!
Bills piling up without a job.
No food in the cupboard and no money to buy any.
The things you trusted in for your future fall through.
The love of your life has walked out.
Your friend who promised he’d be there isn’t.
The person who said they’d vouch for you, lies about you.

Darkest Moments Lead to Hope

Yet, it’s these moments that help us see the light all the more.

Without knowing pain, you don’t treasure pain-free days.
Without food and money, you don’t remember that box that showed up to provide your next meal.
Without betrayal, your apreciation for love isn’t complete.

Hope and Story

Think about it.

Narnia

Lucy and Susan walk with Aslan who tells them to wait. They watch as the White Witch drives her knife through Aslan’s heart. The evil horde rushes past their hiding spot, leaving them in darkness. When they dare crawl up to Aslan, he’s dead. They know this, saw it, and yet, they cry on his beloved face. They even are ready to send mice away until they realize the little creatures are trying to gnaw the ropes away.

Cold, mourning, and in despair, Susan and Lucy turn to leave to tell the boys all’s lost.

Against that backdrop of despair, what do we have? One of the most cinematically pleasing moments. The rumble of stone, and they turn to see dawn has come, and stepping into that light is none other than Aslan!

Two Towers

The night of fighting the orcs has left the Rohirrim descimated. Their women and children are huddled in caves, and their old men and young boys have died fighting. Aragorn rallies King Theoden for one final muster of the men of Rohan.

But why does Aragorn know to fight one final time? Because Gandalf told him, “Hold out. Look to the east. At dawn, look to the east.”

And there, reinforcements come riding down the hill, and blocking the main escape are the wild trees.

The Greatest Hope

Today, we remember the greatest story ever told. The one where despair ruled.

The man that they’d walked with, seen provide food to feed thousands, healed the sick, and even raised the dead was handed over to his enemies. Who’d even think that such a one could gain enemies, but he did.

And like in every good story, the enemy was larger than our hero’s party. They rallied men who lied about their friend in a court of law, gaining a conviction. Not only a conviction but a death sentence!

The darkest day of their lives was the day they watched as this man they’d hoped would bring light, healing, and set everything to rights died. They watched–well some of them. Most of them ran and hid. They’d be next! After all, they were friends with now public enemy number one.

They spent three long days and nights wondering, waiting, trying to decide what to do, how to go back to life as normal after three and a half years of following this guy. Oh… and mourning.

Think of his mom! She watched her son be executed! She was there when he was buried, and because it was a holiday, there wasn’t a funeral and the burrial was quick and efficient.

And so, on the morning before dawn, the women went to finish the burrial procedures. To say a final farewell.

But…

When they got there, the body was gone! The tomb empty! And besides that, there were men in white who reminded them of their hero’s words.

He’s not here for he has risen as he said.

Hope Beyond Story

Without the greatest story every told, we wouldn’t have hope in our darkest moments. There’d be no reassurances. It’d be as some claim: a wives tale, good for sissies and no more.

But you see, every good (western-minded) story ends with a happy ending. We expect that.

That’s probably why when hard times come, we expect them to end quickly. But often, they drag on, making us wonder if it’ll ever turn for good.

The problem is that the greatest story every told is book one of a series–a long series. So far it’s gone on for over two thousand years! But like a good series, we know that the middle of the series is always bad. But… if book one ended on a good note, we know the series will end happily.

Think of it. The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars (okay I’ll be biased and say 4-6), Harry Potter, Star Wars: Heir of the Empire, and more all end on good. The hero wins, as do his friends. Not all may make it to the final pages, but their deaths are for a greater good.

This is the same with us. Book one was the greatest story ever told. We’re the characters of the rest of the series, and the final book won’t be written until our Hero returns to claim the throne. But when he does, you can be assured that all the dark moments will be the backdrop that will display his light in all its glory!

As you face your week, may you remember the hope at the end of the series. May you trust the author of life to see you through, and if need be, put on the armor to fight.

1. Remember

Remember what? Remember the good that’s happened before. Remember how you’ve made it through trials before. Remember that God is in control.

2. Create a Journal

This is an outworking of #1. One way to remember what’s happened is through a journal. You can write down the things you’ve gone through and how you’ve made it through. 

I used to have a daily journal, but it’s moved to more of a listing of things that have happened. I still need to be better at this.

You can use a regular composition notebook like I have, or Annie Douglass Lima has a coloring book and journal designed for this.

3. Reminders

Another outworking of #1 is to have physical items that remind you of the good times and bad.

Each morning I pick up three leather keychains. Each one has a message on them.

•  Lead me where my trust is without borders.
• And if not, he is still good.
• Forever your little girl.

Each one of these came from Realm Makers conferences in 2021, 2023, and 2024. They provide me with a physical reminder of what I learned each of those years.

The Jewish people set up what were called Standing Stones, and some think that was what Stonehenge was for. A reminder of something. 

When you have a memento or other item, it will remind you to be grateful.

4. Positive Outlook

This can be difficult, especially when chaos swirls around you. When kids are nagging at you, when they’re complaining or not listening, when health issues burden you down, it’s easy to think “woe is me.”

Instead, turn your mindset around.

• The kids are nagging–for now. 
• The kids are complaining, but it’s not forever.
• The kids will eventually listen.
• This health issue will bring me in contact with people I’d never have met before.
• This health issue gives me compassion and understanding for others in the same boat.

See how that makes a difference? Try it.

5. Say Thank You

Make it a habit to say thank you–whether verbally or in writing. We’ve gotten away from handwritten cards, but the very act of sitting down and writing can bring relief and gratitude.

May your living spill over into thanksgiving.