Have you ever felt afraid to hope?
Your wedding is postponed. The baby shower had to be virtual. School will be online instead of in a classroom. You didn’t get the graduation celebration you dreamed of having.
We’re afraid to hope because we fear another disappointment is heading our direction.
Thankfully, the apostle Paul knew a thing or two when it comes to encouraging us in our faith – especially when we’re low on hope. Romans 15:13 says, “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. (ESV)”
At the time, Paul was praying over the Christians in Rome, but his prayer can be applied to us today. As Christ followers, we get to receive more than just temporary hope when we believe. We get to receive peace, joy, and lasting, Holy-Spirit powered hope! This type of hope is more than just a mood boost; it’s a precious gift we can unwrap every morning regardless of our letdowns.
Hope isn’t just about longing for our plans to go the way we’d like them to. Hope is about longing for God’s plans to go to the way He’d like them to. It’s choosing to believe He is who He says He is, then faithfully trusting His leadership.
God genuinely cares about our circumstances, and He genuinely cares about our hearts. In an ever-changing world, our hope can be placed in a never-changing God.
What is one area of life you struggle to find hope in?
How can you remind yourself there’s ultimate hope in Jesus?
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