Living with uncertainty may fuel hopelessness as it may be hard to know what to look forward to. We were at the South Coast in New South Wales celebrating my father-in-law’s 90th birthday over four days. It was challenging to know how to feel about the occasion. In the lead-up to the event, we didn’t know if the current pandemic would mean it would be taken away from us. However, this possibility did not deter us from preparing and planning despite having previously lost two significant occasions, our son’s wedding reception and a precious few days away with my husband, the first in many years. I considered the possibility of this trip being cancelled but made a firm decision to hope that it wasn’t and trust God if it was. The choice to be hopeful was deliberate and founded on Faith, Hope, and Trust. Choosing to have

1. FAITH: by putting faith in God, if the trip was cancelled, there was a reason, and it would be for the best. Yet having FAITH that it would happen and precious memories built.

2. HOPE: Hoping that things would go according to plan, acknowledging that deferred hope makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life, Proverbs 13:12. And what a blessing to be surrounded by such beautiful trees for the entire time we had away and to allow ourselves to dream. Even if there was an uncertain outcome.

3. TRUST: Trusting that no matter the outcome, God is good and the promise of Romans 8:28 that God works for our good “in all things” is reassuring. No matter the circumstance, there are only two qualifiers for God to be working all things together for our good. … Those who love God are called according to His purpose. Therefore, choose trust despite the corcumstaces!

Whatever your possibility is, it is possible to continue to have faith, choose hope, and trust.