Hope

From a quick google search, hope is defined as, “an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes.” Our society often views hope as crossing fingers, coins tossed into wells, making wishes, or the happen chance of irony. As believers in Jesus, hope can be understood by knowing and believing in the character of God.

            Time and time again, we see promises of hope in His Word.

Isaiah 40:31 ~ 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.

Romans 15:13 ~ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jeremiah 29:11 ~ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

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

Romans 12:12 ~ Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Romans 8:24-25 ~ For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

                  If you just skipped over those gifts of truth from God’s word, go back and read them, they have so much more to say than I ever could.

            God’s heart for His people is to be filled with hope, to know it deep down in our souls, allowing the power of hope to break down the lies of the enemy, and to crack the walls of shame we so easily and often obliviously construct.

            God knew we would struggle with constantly living in the freedom of hope. He gives us the warning, “Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” He knew. He knows. It’s not always easy.

            It’s been four years since we moved back to America. Four years! During those four years, I have grappled with deep seeded feelings of doubt, shame, and hopelessness. I’ve doubted the sovereignty of the Lord, wondering if I was out of His will or if I somehow manipulated the way things were supposed to be. I have constantly battled to really, deep down believe God cares more about who I am becoming than anything I could do for Him! Because that is the truth, yet why is that so hard to really believe? And what about the hope He was not done with our story? That because of my inadequacy, the Kingdom of God was somehow hindered…gosh, when I say it like that, I sure am giving myself a lot of credit. Forgive me, Lord.

            This past week, the Lord led us through a door of opportunity in ministry which has given me so much hope. In feeling hope, the realization of the depth of hopelessness I’ve experienced over the past four years has become apparent. While I do not know how the Lord will lead, I am redirected to His promises of hope we must cling to and allow to become the reality of His heart for us. His hope silences the lies of the enemies. His hope is real and tangible and comes to fruition. His hope never ends.

            I know I am not alone in this story. The Lord has given me the privilege of walking with several woman who are experiencing seasons of feeling hopeless. Long seasons that feel like will never end. Situations WAY out of their control. Spaces of feeling guilt and shame. I would like to point them and you back to His word, His heart…for you to HOPE. Not in your circumstances, not in your own ability, but in Jesus. He is our Hope and His word will never fail. There is no need to cross your fingers and wish really hard. There is nothing you can DO. He has already done it all. As followers of Jesus, our job is to place our hope completely in Him and His word.