Faith and Hope: Holding on Even at Death’s Door

“Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.”

                                                            -Norman Cousins- 

Enjoying the breadth of cool air brushing by the window curtains and the flickering flash of lightning that shortly illuminates the surroundings; you lie peacefully inside a cozy shanty. The drops of rain by the roof slowly turn into a buzzing melody until you dozed off. In an instant, you are awakened by the screams of the wailing neighbors.  Still disoriented and curious, you got up only to find out that everything in your room was already soaking wet at a knee-high, brown floodwater. After alerting the entire household, the water level rose above the waist and the walls collapsed, bringing in a strong gush of mud and debris.  With the intention of saving yourself and some loved ones, you climb up the roof and ask for help until you notice that the entire neighborhood is dark.

You cannot see anything; all you can hear is the wind blowing the cries of your neighbors, asking for help. You desire to lend a hand when you realize that the roof you are clinging on to is already floating along with the logs going towards nowhere. One by one, you lose hold of your loved ones who, by now, are being carried away by the strong current.  After bumping into a log, you fell and got carried by the water. Saving yourself from drowning, you clutch a small piece of log, floating along with other debris towards the sea.

With the lightning, you see the familiar evidences of your neighborhood, which, you assumed, is now a wasteland.  Hours passed by and no help came until you are finally fighting against the ideology of letting go after losing your home and probably, your loved ones.

            Indeed, nothing stays as it is. Like a thief in the night, life unpredictably twists. At one moment, we might enjoy life with our family inside the warmth of our home. However, in just a blink of an eye, we can lose everything and everybody we dear so much. After losing everything, the light we look forward to might fade away and along with the darkness comes the temptation of letting go.

            When everything that fuels our life seems lost, there are two things which can keep us going, -- Hope and Faith. These two life-sustaining alternatives, which are codependent, are usually featured in the stories of survival which most people call “a miracle”. Indeed hoping for the better and holding on to a belief has been proven throughout the ages.

            The bible says in Hebrews 11:1, "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”.  From this verse, God assures us that faith keeps the coals glowing despite the surrounding pitch black. Faith and hope, like a candle’s wax and wicker, keeps the flame alive. Hope, being the wicker, bears the fire; and faith, being the wax, supports the wicker all throughout.

Moreover, Psalms 9:18 says "But the needy will not be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish”.  God reminds us that He will never abandon even the poorest of the poor. Where the needy calls for Him, help will surely come in the most unexpected human way, for His plans are divine.

God further assured his people by saying in Psalms 33:18, "But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love," Like a loving mother, He will never forsake any of His children nor leave anybody behind. If a hen looks over her chicks, and a shepherd over his flock, God will surely look over His people. If somebody looks after the animals, then shouldn’t God be looking after His most valuable creation? Luke 12: 6-7 even says, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.”  If God provides for the fowl in the sky and the beasts in the woods, God will also provide for His people. He will never allow His children to face life without any sustenance and protection.

Although at a certain situation, one might question God about one’s own fate. In times of great loss, people usually ask, “God, why have you forsaken me?” However, what God wants His people to remember is His great love, which governs His divine plan. Even if unfavorable things happen but all these are just laid strategically for us to learn the lessons and prepare us for what is coming.

At the end of the day, we may be standing in a barren ground surrounded by turmoil. Nevertheless, still being able to stand amid all these is a living proof of a strong faith and unfathomable hope. No matter how strong the winds may blow and waters may flow, may we hold on to our hope and faith,- even at death’s door.














***To be edited, Not published (on going)