Hold On

Have you ever faced obstacles in your life that made you say to yourself, “This can’t be real”? Or have you uttered the words, “My life can’t possibly get worse,” only to find that it somehow does?

I’ve had those moments plenty of times. And as the seasoned folk would say, “Just keep living.” I’m certain I’ll experience them again. There have been moments when I’ve ranted to God in despair, asking, “Do You see what’s going on?” Yet just when I’m close to the edge and about to lose my head, the Lord does something to remind me that He does see me — a gentle reminder to hold on.

“6 So Abram said to Sarai, ‘Indeed your maid is in your hand; do to her as you please.’ And when Sarai dealt harshly with her, she fled from her presence. 7 Now the Angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. 8 And he said, ‘Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?’ She said, ‘I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.’ 9 The Angel of the Lord said to her, ‘Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.’ 10 Then the Angel of the Lord said to her, ‘I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.’ 11 And the Angel of the Lord said to her: ‘Behold, you are with child, and you shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has heard your affliction. 12 He shall be a wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man’s hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.’ 13 Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, ‘You are the God who sees’; for she said, ‘Have I also here seen Him who sees me?’”
(Genesis 16:6–13, NKJV)

In one of Hagar’s lowest moments, the Lord made it clear that He saw her affliction. This recognition from the Lord encouraged Hagar to endure and find comfort in knowing that the Almighty cared for her and understood what she was going through.

“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
(Isaiah 41:10, NKJV)

Whatever you are going through — whether it be loss, illness, fatigue, or the relentless trials of life — I am telling you to hold on. Hold on to the Lord’s promises and His unchanging hand. Rest in the fact that He sees everything you are enduring. Even when it feels like your back is against the wall, know that the Lord is going before you, making the crooked paths straight.

Continue to hold on and trust in the Lord your God.