My Journal and Diary
2026
October
Friday, October 23rd, 2026
Groaning, Yet Still Hoping
Here's something to consider: groaning is not the opposite of hope.
I want you to notice something in Romans 8:22-27. Paul talks a lot about groaning: he tells us that creation is groaning in verse 22, and that we all are groaning in our suffering as we await "adoption" in verse 23. Finally, in verse 26, he says God's Spirit groans wordlessly as a type of intercession on our behalf!
I think my default reaction is to think of groaning as a lack of faith. If I'm complaining, then I'm not trusting, right? If I'm hurting, I might tell myself I'm not spiritual enough.
But Paul reminds us that through this groaning, we are looking forward with hope to the ultimate adoption into God's family.
And here's where it gets really beautiful.
In verse 22 Paul calls to mind the groans of a woman in child-birth. Do you see the connection? Her groans don't indicate a lack of hope in holding a newborn infant in her arms. Her groans are signs of pain, but they're full of expectation! She knows what's coming, but that doesn't mean her pain is nullified.
What sort of pain are you enduring right now? Maybe something going on with family, or perhaps at work? Financial worries, wandering children, broken dreams, or painful memories?
We can take comfort in the Spirit's intercession on our behalf. Imagine sighs too deep for words. You can let that groan out, and be confident that the Spirit is groaning alongside you. Together it's an eloquent prayer with a lining of hope.
Take a moment right now, wherever you're reading this, and give him your pain. It's okay to groan, it's not faithlessness. Cling to hope, for as Paul says, "In this hope we were saved."
Amen