By Nicole Turley (she/her), Admin at LEAD

We often talk about hope as something that comes after the storm, after the challenge is over. But the truth is, God’s hope isn’t just a reward at the end—God gives us hope in the middle of it all. In the middle of uncertainty, of pressure, of exhaustion—right there, God offers us something steady to hold on to.

As we are reminded in Romans 15:13,
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This verse reminds us that God is not just hopeful—God is the God of hope. Hope isn’t something we have to manufacture on our own. God fills us with it. And notice the words Paul uses: joy, peace, overflowing with hope. That’s not survival-mode language—that’s abundance. And it’s for right now.

Let’s be honest—most of us are carrying a lot right now. Maybe it’s work pressure, maybe something personal, maybe just the ongoing fatigue of doing a lot with limited capacity. We can easily fall into the trap of thinking:

     “When things slow down, I’ll feel better.”
     “When this issue is resolved, I’ll have peace.”
     “When I get clarity, I’ll feel hopeful.”

But what if God wants to give you hope before anything changes?

Hope isn’t pretending everything’s fine. It’s knowing that even if everything isn’t fine, you’re not alone—and better days are ahead. That’s the kind of hope that anchors us.

God wants to meet us in the middle—right here in the uncertainty, in the unfinished, in the “not yet.” And God wants to fill us with joy and peace as we put our trust in God, even if the answers haven’t come yet.

This week, as we remember the events of September 11th, we’re reminded of what it means to live through the middle of pain, grief, and uncertainty. That day left a scar on our nation—but it also showed us how deeply people can care, how communities can unite, and how hope can rise even in the ashes. For many, the journey of healing didn’t begin after everything was resolved—it began in the middle of the heartbreak. And just like then, God is always present in our “middle moments” today—offering comfort, strength, and hope that holds steady even when the future feels unclear.

One of the best examples of someone who lived with hope in the middle is Joseph.

Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and unjustly imprisoned. For years, nothing seemed to go right—and there was no guarantee that anything ever would. And yet, we see a constant theme in Joseph’s story in Genesis 39:21 – But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love.

Even in prison, God’s presence was with him—and Joseph remained faithful. He didn’t give up or give in. He served where he was, trusted God, and held on to hope—even when the outcome was still a mystery. Joseph didn’t wait for the palace to start living with purpose—he did it in prison. That’s hope in the middle.

Where in your life right now do you need to experience hope in the middle, not just at the end? It could be something at work, a personal situation, or just a general feeling of being worn out. Let’s carry this with us: You don’t have to wait for things to be perfect to have peace. God offers hope for today—not just someday.