I don’t remember the circumstances of picking this verse as my “life verse”, but I do remember as a teenager this became my anchor and guide to going through any circumstance of life.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”
I was not being raised in a Christian home, but I did have a solid consistent youth group and a few Christian friends that were in the journey of the spiritual life with me. Although all my physical needs were met, my spiritual needs were not nurtured or provided for at home. I remember knowing in some matters with confidence that “If God didn’t do it, it didn’t get done”.
I recall one winter that I wanted to go on the youth retreat. My babysitting money would not be enough to pay for it, but I prayed that God would somehow “do” something so I could go. I got a call from the youth leader that my weekend was paid for. God “did” something and my spirit soared with encouragement that my prayers of faith had been heard. Early on I was in the habit of not telling people my needs, as a teenager that was too vulnerable and I didn’t want risk being labeled “needy”. I just told God and allowed Him to work things out. Sometimes I was granted those things I could not accomplish on my own, and sometimes I learned that God always answers prayers, but sometimes it’s a “no”.
As a teen, I was developing that hope in the Lord that would help keep me strong, soaring on the wings of having been seen and heard by God, I kept moving forward through setbacks, disappointments, failures and just plain weariness.
Now as an adult with decades of life in the rearview mirror, that verse is still my anchor and guide. My spiritual muscles have been made strong and confident that when my hope is in the Lord, the troubles of life don’t get me down. Have I been weary? Yes. Have I walked a long time in difficult circumstances and thought I would just faint away? Yes.
But Gods promises are secure. When my hope is in the Lord, my attitude is adjusted. My eyes and my ears are attentive to looking for God in my circumstances.
I have also learned that when God brings about “soaring”, it is like a grand “Ta-Da” moment. It is not brought about in just tweaking it out, it is absolutely from God and magnificent in gesture. Whether it is a physical need, an emotional need, a relational need, when God steps in to set us soaring He does it complete and usually quick. I have gone from waiting to soaring in a matter of moments. And it is not soaring that is wobbly or temporary. It is strong and fearless and sustaining.
I have also learned it is okay to ask questions of God, like “how long might this circumstance last?” but continue to hope in the Lord that He knows best. Then just as the scripture says, when we are weary, we will not faint. Not from despair, from tiredness, from boredom, from worry.
I have learned to hope with confident expectation. We “hope” the sun will come up tomorrow, knowing with confidence that it will. For God holds the sunrises and sunsets in His Hands. His Hands that we can trust.
So, as I, like you go forward into this new year we are calling 2026, join me in the hope in the Lord that produces “Ta-Da” moment of soaring.
My parting thought is something I heard recently. “When its ALL God, it hits differently.”
Let God know your needs, your wishes, your wants…and see how it hits when only He answers. Ta-Da!
Patti J
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be fain
