Hopefulness for the Hopeless
Hopelessness. It’s a state most have experienced before. Whether it’s a self-made crisis or a situation out of your control, hopelessness does not care about wealth, health, or fame. It is truly non-prejudiced in its dealings with everyone. Take away hope and we are left with only doubts and disillusionments.
Over the past month, my wife was in this same position. About a month ago, she began developing symptoms of sickness. Nothing serious at first: just a low-grade fever and some muscle soreness. The next night, she woke me up and said, “Jeff, you need to sleep somewhere else. I think I’m getting sick. I think I’ve got Covid-19.” For the next twelve days, she ran a fever from 100 to 102 degrees. She was “blessed” in that this, and a slight headache, were her only symptoms. She took Tylenol, Aspirin, and Ibuprofen; each brought her temperature down a bit, but it rose as the medicine wore out. Because Emory and I were “banished” from her presence, she had to fight seemingly alone. Yet, in her aloneness, God was there.
As a husband and as a father, I could not complain (or even make jokes). I tried to cater to her every need. More times than not, I failed. I could not hold her or hug her, only comfort her from a far. On Tuesday, we were at one hospital; fewer than 12 hours later we were at another. Lana called me on Tuesday night (I was sleeping upstairs) and said, “Jeff, you need to come into our room, I’m sick - very sick." In a flurry, I panicked and jumped right out of bed, went down the steps, and then began to feel light-headed myself! In her time of need, there I was sitting in our chair trying not to pass out. “Good grief,” I thought to myself. “Some husband I am.” After giving her ice packs and evaluating the situation, I said, “We’re going to the hospital.”
I awakened Emory, and we packed her school bag because I did not know how long this visit would take. As I drove to Greensboro, I continued to pray. I prayed for quick entry, a loving staff, and physicians who were experts in their field. We dropped her off at the doors of the ER and then parked and waited. She texted almost immediately and said, “There is only one other person in the ER waiting room. I’m already on my way back!” Check. Thank you, Lord. In the meantime, Emory is processing the situation in a 13-year- old way. “Is Mama going to be okay?” “What am I going to do about school?” I said about 20 times, “Yes, Mom is going to be fine, and yes, you’re going to school.”
Two short (or long, depending on your perspective) hours later, she emerged. Feeling slightly better, (probably due to the IV fluids which they pumped in) we dropped Emory off at school and went home. Crisis not averted, but prolonged. For the next 7 days, Lana ran a fever and lost some taste. In talking with her she said, “The brain can do ‘funny’ things when you’re sick. It can take you down roads you never thought you would walk down.” For us, this story (eventually) has a good ending. Lana is recovering. She is slowly easing back into life. Our well-intending doctors do indeed have great knowledge, but Jesus, the Great Physician, trumps their skill and care.
Psalm 42:5 echoes our answer. “Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, For the help of His countenance.” God is great and worthy to be praised. Again, Psalm 46:6 leads us in praise: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.” Isaiah 40:31 continues our praises, ringing out: “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Paul put it in a very relatable manner in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 when he wrote, “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” He continues in verse 16, drawing a conclusion: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.”
Sustained by God’s grace, our family presses on. Sustained by God’s love, our church will not be downtrodden. Sustained by God’s mercy, we will rise victorious. Psalm 121:1 shouts: “I will left my eyes to the hills - from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord.” In your time of need, “Look up!” From there, we will find our help!