The book of Lamentations is a reflection by the Prophet Jeremiah on the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC, with the subsequent Babylonian exile. The book contains five poems of 22 verses each, except for chapter 3 which contains 66 verses. Most of the book depicts the bitterness and anguish suffered by the Israelites, but in the middle of the book we find a remarkable statement which reveals a pivotal change of focus from despair to hope.

In Lamentations 3:19-20, Jeremiah states, “I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.” As good and healthy as it may be to express our feelings and emotions, continually remembering them and dwelling on them is absolutely detrimental to our soul. Jeremiah expresses this reality by describing how repetitively remembering his sorrows brought him only depression.

However, in the next verse he states, “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope” (Lam 3:21). Jeremiah decides and chooses to activate hope even while being in the middle of his present crisis and affliction. Hope is not something that is far off in the future, but a reality we can actuate right now by calling God’s truth to mind. Romans 12:2 states, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This is not merely a case of mind over matter, but an intentional change of focus by using God’s word to realign our perspective.

What exactly was it that Jeremiah called to mind that brought him hope?

1. Jeremiah states, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed” (Jer 3:22). He recalled the same sentiment he wrote about in Jeremiah 31:3 when God had said, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Focusing on God’s never-ending love is the basis of renewed hope.

2. Jeremiah also focuses on God’s unfailing mercy. The Hebrew concept of mercy is drawn from the imagery of a baby still in the womb. It reflects continuous protection, connection, and nurture. Instead of fixating on his present circumstance of mayhem, Jeremiah chose to extract hope from God’s inexhaustible mercy which are “new every morning” (Jer 3:23).

3. Lastly Jeremiah’s apogee of hope rested on God’s great faithfulness (Jer 3:23). God’s record is perfect and has never failed and Jeremiah rested on that truth.

Whatever we may be going through at the moment, it’s up to us to call to mind God's love, mercy, and faithfulness. Only when we shift our focus to these unchanging truths will it impact our peace of mind.