Hoping for Hope

I’m trying to remember if there was anytime in my childhood when I had hope. I can remember hoping things would change but never really experiencing any difference in my life. Have you ever been there? It’s like you really want things to be different but that isn’t enough to make things change or even look like they are changing, right? It’s just a shady type of hope.

Did you know there is a different type of hope? It’s called Holy Hope (Ok, not really but, I think it sounds cool.)  Really, it is the only type of true hope there can be. This is the hope that only God gives.

Paul, the writer of the book Romans, explains hope like this: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:3-5)

There are a couple interesting things about what Paul says here…

1. He acknowledges that problems and trials are normal and purposeful.

Nobody will ever live a perfect life, except for Jesus Christ. We will all have our flavor of troubles. Yours may start early in life as did mine. Others may have perfect childhoods and experience it at some other point in life. Whatever the experience, no one is immune to heartache. For us those who are believers in Jesus, our trials are for a specific pupose: 1) to conform us to the personality and lifestyle of Christ and 2) As a result of conforming us, we are shaped into people of character and integrity.

Please hear me, when I say, these reasons don’t mean that the pain isn’t real because it is. God knows all that you are experiencing and He cares deeply. His love for you is is deeper than anything you can know. Look to Him in your pain, He will provide the peace that you need (Philippians 4:7).

Just don’t forget the biggest picture, God is making you into something special through your pain.

2. (And, I promise I’m done after this ) The hope that God gives really is hope.

Paul says that God’s hope does not disappoint. The Holy Spirit was given to us at the moment we were saved so that we could experience overwhelming hope in God. This hope actually means we can look forward to a difference in life. The way He shows us that our circumstances don’t determine our future is through His Love! His Love=Your Hope…

Don’t give up on life, your family or yourself because of what you see now. Things might be hard but remember, if you know Him, you have all the hope in the world! His hope will never disappoint you.

If you don’t know Him and you want to experience this hope I’ve talked about, don’t be shy. Just leave us a comment and we will get back with you quickly.

Kyara