Hope.
Hope. Seems like such a simple concept, but as of late I have learned more about how powerful it is. Having even just a glimmer of hope can change everything.
Without going into too much detail (we can save that for another blog if you’d like), in May of 2020 I was diagnosed with anxiety, something I had never previously dealt with. Although I was praying, fasting, worshiping, doing everything I was supposed to, it seemed like I could never catch a break for about two years…so yes, up until recently. I remember there were a couple days where I had such peace and all of a sudden I felt something so beautiful, I had hope. The hope that “it’s not always going to be this way”, one day this will only be a memory that will continue to be such a testimony for God’s glory. I can’t even explain how much freedom this has brought me, and I’m praying it will do the same for you. Whatever situation you’re in, whether it be chronic health conditions, family problems, marriage issues, relationships, heartbreak, anxiety, depression, frustration in school, problems in your job, not being where you thought you’d be in life right now, etc., I want to encourage you…it’s not always going to be this way. Have hope. Let’s talk about it…
If I were to define hope it’d be this:
Hope is the light at the end of the tunnel. The assurance that it’s not always gonna be this way. The promise that God will work it out for your good.
The Bible provides multiple, beautiful definitions of hope:
- In Hebrew, hope is similar to trust.
- In Psalms 39:7 (AMP) hope is defined as “confident expectation”.
- In Hebrews 6:19 (AMP) hope is defined as “confident assurance”.
- In Romans 5:4-5 (MSG) hope can be related to “alert expectancy”.
- If we take Hebrews 11:1 we can equate that hope + faith = reality.
My friend, you have to hold on to hope. Hebrews 10:23 (MSG) says “let’s keep a firm grip on the promises (hope) that keep us going…”. This tells us that HOPE KEEPS US GOING.
If you are going through something and have lost hope you may feel like this is never going to end, maybe even that life isn’t pleasurable or worth living but let me tell you…
- your life is valuable.
- you will make it through.
- there is so much more to the plan God has for you than what you are experiencing right now, and be assured, what He has planned for you is good.
- coincidentally my Pastor spoke a bit on hope yesterday and he said this “what oxygen is to the lungs, so is hope the meaning of life”. Having hope will bring you life and freedom, check out this verse:
Matthew 24:13 (TPT) says “but keep your hope to the end and you will experience life and deliverance”.
Now one of the most important questions is: what or who is your hope in?!
Whatever you may be facing today, speaking from experience…your hope has to be in God.
Hebrews 10:23 (NLT) says “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise”.
The Lord is so wonderful, He is faithful to His Word and He ALWAYS keeps His promises.
Something I’ve found is that when you lose hope you fall into disappointment. Disappointment is defined as sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of ones hopes or expectations. And trust me, I’m only saying this because I’ve been there! Unfortunately, dwelling on disappointment just leads to more disappointment. READ THAT AGAIN. Haha!
So my next question to you is (again, this is one I have had to ask myself many times):
- “Was your hope in you and your plans or in God and His plans?
A lot of times people are afraid to hope because they say it just leads to disappointment… but if your hope is in God, He will never disappoint you!
Lastly, in order to put your hope in Him you have to know Him. Spend time with Him. Know His character. Worship Him. Praise Him. And more than anything, fall so in love with Him…then it will be easy to hope in Him. I pray this blessed and encouraged you today!
