In a world filled with misery and despair, hope is a treasured commodity. Anyone who has gone through any sort of trial or trouble would acknowledge that at the end, hope is what got them through. Hope is what allows you to believe – for just a little while longer – that something will happen, that things will change, and that breakthrough is coming.
According to the dictionary, hope is “a feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen.”
As a Christian, Hope is so much more than a concept or a fleeting emotion. For a Christian, Hope is not merely a “feeling of expectation” or a conjured-up desire for something. Our level of Hope is never based on a circumstance, good fortune, probability or statistics. Because to us, Hope is a person, and His name is Jesus Christ. He is the hope of the world (Matthew 12:21). He is the undefeated One who has already overcome this world – He is Hope, our Hope.
“And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
– Romans 5:2-5
Hope is forged in the furnace of perseverance and character building. As we persevere in character building we get to see God at work on our behalf. This is where hope is established in the faithfulness and character of God and then becomes our fuel for future hope.
Join us as we explore four pillars of hope… Do it all at once, use it as a daily devotional, or work through it with your small groups.
Hope Challenge
As a challenge to you, commit to snuff out any feelings or thoughts of hopelessness as soon as they arise by submitting them to the truth of Jesus.
Take a moment to bring those feelings and thoughts before Jesus, and ask Him what He says about them. It does not have to be a long elaborate process, but rather a moment where you allow His truth, peace and confidence into your situation, for it change your thoughts and mindset. Focus your heart on who He is and what He says. You will be surprised at how quickly your hopelessness about a situation shifts into hope.
Next time a feeling of hopelessness settles over you or a hopeless thought enters your mind, close your eyes wherever you are and just take 30 seconds to breathe and focus solely on God’s truth. It’s that simple to start change and to evoke hope!
If you’re feeling hopeless and would like someone to come alongside you in prayer, please complete the form below. We’d love to pray with you! We would also love to hear your testimonies of hope. Please feel free to contact us and share with us how God has increased your hope through these pillars.
