Hold on to Hope
God's Not Done with Your Loved Ones: Holding On to Hope
“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, ESV)
Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night, your heart heavy with worry for someone you love? Maybe it’s a child who’s drifted far from the faith you raised them in, a sibling who’s turned their back on God, or a friend who’s pushed you away as they’ve wandered down a path that feels so far from the truth. If you’re in that place, you know the ache—the quiet fear that maybe they’re too far gone, that maybe God’s grace can’t reach them where they are. I’ve been there too, and I want to remind you of something: God is still at work, and He’s not done with your loved one.
I was watching Father Stu recently, the story of a rough-around-the-edges boxer whose life took a radical turn toward God in the most unexpected way. As I watched, I couldn’t help but think about how God knows exactly how to reach people’s hearts. He knows the perfect moment, the right words, the precise circumstances to break through even the hardest exterior. Think about the Apostle Paul—once Saul, a man who hunted Christians with zeal, only to be stopped in his tracks by a blinding encounter with Jesus. Or Jackie Hill Perry, who found freedom in Christ after years of wrestling with her identity. Or Christopher Yuan and Beckett Cook, whose stories of transformation remind us that no one is beyond God’s reach. These are real people, with real struggles, who encountered a real God who pursued them relentlessly. And here’s the truth: the same God who transformed their lives knows your loved one’s heart just as intimately.
God’s will, as 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, is that none should perish, but that all should reach repentance. That includes your loved one—the one you’re praying for, crying over, and maybe even fighting to hold onto hope for. God loves them more than you do (and if you’re a parent, sibling, or friend, you know that’s saying something!). He sees every choice they’re making, every hurt they’re carrying, every wall they’ve built up. And He’s not sitting idly by. He’s pursuing them, orchestrating moments and opportunities for them to encounter His love, His truth, and His grace.
I know it’s hard to wait. It’s hard to keep praying when you don’t see change, to keep loving when you feel rejected, to keep trusting when the days turn into months or even years. Maybe you’ve tried everything—conversations, tears, pleading, even tough love—and it feels like nothing’s working. But here’s what I’ve learned: our job isn’t to fix our loved ones or force their transformation. Our job is to pray, to love, and to trust that God is faithful to finish what He started. Philippians 1:6 isn’t just a nice verse; it’s a promise. The God who began a good work in your loved one—whether it was a seed planted in childhood, a moment of faith they once had, or even a fleeting curiosity about God—will bring it to completion in His perfect timing.
So, what do we do in the meantime? We keep praying, even when our prayers feel like they’re hitting the ceiling. We keep trusting, even when doubt creeps in. We keep holding on to hope, because hope in God is never wasted. And we keep loving, even when it’s messy or painful. I think of the father in the parable of the prodigal son, who never stopped watching the horizon for his child to return. That’s the heart of our Father in heaven—always watching, always ready to run to those who turn toward Him.
If you’re feeling weary today, take heart. God’s not done with your loved one, and He’s not done with you either. He’s writing a story in their life, and while you might not see the ending yet, you can trust the Author. So keep praying those fervent, tear-stained prayers. Keep trusting in the God who moves mountains. And keep holding on to hope, because our God is a good, good Father, and His love never gives up.
Always hoping, Anna
