*Guest Post by Lori Schumaker

Today I’m delighted to share a post with you written by my friend, Lori Schumaker. Lori shares an incredible story of love and hope inside the pages of her book, Surrendered Hearts. If you are journeying through a difficult situation that is not turning out as you expected, you’ll find that you are not alone when you read the book or take a peek at parts of her story below.

Today Lori is sharing her own true story that points to our real source of hope when life doesn’t go as planned – Hope that came to us in the form of a tiny baby, born in a manger so long ago. It’s Jesus’ love that reached out clear across the world to bring a family together.  And this is the love that reaches out to you today, no matter where you are, no matter what you are facing.

Finding Hope When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned 

“Sometimes hope is scary. Hoping for the impossible feels a lot like letting go. It’s giving your heart a chance to hurt again. But it’s also giving your faith a chance to point to a God who is bigger than your mountains. “-Lori Schumaker in Surrendered Hearts

We Can’t Live Without Hope

Hope is something we cannot live without. In order to walk through this life, we must believe in what may come and we must believe in the good that is just around the next corner. Without hope, we don’t find joy nor do we experience peace. Without hope, we live a dark existence.

It’s why Jesus did what He did and does what He does for us. All of us.

It’s why, in the dead of night a long time ago, Hope was born in a stable. He was named Jesus and came to give us life – to set us free – and to defeat darkness on our behalf.

“Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” -Habakkuk 1:5 NIV

“Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” -Habakkuk 1:5 NIV Click To Tweet

When we have hope, we believe in what will utterly amaze us and we believe miracles are possible. Yet, in order to experience the fullness of that hope, we must surrender. And every time we surrender – or let go – it feels scary. Especially for those of us who revel in staying in control.

How Do We Surrender? 

So how do we do it? How do we surrender in the face of feelings like fear, and doubt?

How do we surrender and hold onto hope when:

Our spouse has walked out the door determined to never return?

Our child has turned away from our faith and decided to live in rebellion?

Addiction has taken hold of a loved one?

There are far too many people ahead of us for the same promotion?

All the odds are stacked against us in whatever it is we are pursuing?

At one point during our adoption process, we lost the little girl we believed was ours. With heart and soul locked in, I fully believed God had hand-picked her as our daughter. I grieved for months after that loss and then one day, everything began to change. But not until I completely surrendered.

A series of emails and connections led me to information that gave me new hope.

…I felt scared. I had surrendered my little girl; I had given her back to God. Picking up hope again for what seemed impossible felt risky, as though I were letting my guard down and leaving myself emotionally vulnerable. But I also felt the exhilaration that hope brings. One minute I wanted to jump for joy, and the next I wanted to dive into a quart of my favorite ice cream.

It was a combination of fear and exhilaration. What I found, though, is that I couldn’t allow myself to get lost in either. Because fear and exhilaration are both feelings. Feelings are not truth – they are indicators. Our feelings often lead us astray. Where I needed to land my focus was on truth. More specifically, on God and His truth.

Feelings are not truth – they are indicators. Our feelings often lead us astray. Where I needed to land my focus was on truth. More specifically, on God and His truth. -Lori Schumaker #surrenderedheartsbook Click To Tweet

Focus on the Truth

In the face of feelings of fear, focusing on what is true set me straight.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. -1 Timothy 1:7 NLT

When circumstances pointed to the impossible, I held onto the hope God offered me within His Word.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” -Matthew 19:26 NLT

During the time my heart sunk and nothing worked out as I planned, I clung to God’s promise.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Friends, life rarely goes as we plan. Pain is unavoidable. But joy is weaved within the fibers of the complicated and the unavoidable. God assures us that when we follow Him and when we turn to Him in surrender and trust, He will walk us through the sorrow and renew our joy once again.

Our family’s story holds much grief, frustration, and pain. Yet, it also holds the greatest of our joys. Today our little girl isn’t so little anymore. She calls me Mom and lives in this home with her daddy and two big brothers. Joy lives here – and so does hope. Things are not perfect and the story didn’t work out as I imagined, but who we are today is because of the power of Jesus.

The same Jesus born in that stable. The One who came to conquer darkness – and give us hope.

May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit.  -Romans 15:13 GNT

Get to know Lori

As wife, adoptive and biological mom, teacher, writer, speaker, and coach, Lori’s heart is to encourage others to meet the challenges of life with the hope of Christ. Wherever you find yourself today – walking through the difficult, longing to find your identity and follow your purpose, or simply experiencing a season of beautiful chaos, Lori’s blog found at www.LoriSchumaker.com is a place where you can find the encouragement you need today. In her first book she shares her family’s adoption story and lessons on surrender, trust, and loving well. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest

Find out more about Lori’s book

You can find out more about Lori’s book, Surrendered Hearts, by clicking this link: www.lorischumaker.com/surrendered-hearts-book. You can find the book on Amazon by clicking here.

 

 

This beautiful bracelet helps support adoption ministries.

Choose to lay down your fears and live surrendered to the One who makes the impossible possible. Proceeds from sales of bracelets go to Lori’s chosen adoption ministries. www.lorischumaker.com/surrendered-hearts-book

 

 

Pick up Lori’s free resources (prayers, Scripture cards, a print and more!) that accompany this book by looking for this picture on her book page.

 

*This post may be linked in the following places. Click through to find more hope and encouragement!  Tea And Word Tuesdays / Cheerleaders of Faith /  Coffee for Your Heart / Sitting Among Friends / Moments of Hope / Salt and Light / Heart Encouragement Thursday / Tune in Thursdays / Counting My Blessings / Grace and Truth