Lately I've been reading the Book of Job and he's used this word quite a bit. Today in the One Year Bible reading he said he lost his hope (twice) and I'm not even close to be done with the book! Good thing I know what happens at the end but if you're the main character, in the middle of a hopeless story, it is sure hard to be positive.
When the unexpected happens, I have learned to go to the expected source of hope. My source of hope is God Himself. He who wrote my story has the right perspective for my situation. Again, I'm not trying to be Pollyanna about this stuff. I know what it feels like to have hopelessness staring you in the face and laughing at you. I know what it feels like to walk in a road that seems to be ending until I grab hold of the hope of God.
How do I do that? You may ask. I honestly have to convince myself that there's no other option for me. I read the Bible and look for God in every letter I read. Sometimes things are just bad and I need Him desperately. I pray and I focus on surrendering to God. I may show that through my postures and my words. I remember recently verbalizing "I trust in You" when I saw no way of escape. Let me tell you that God is faithful and merciful. He never disappoints those who put their hope in Him.
Hope never appears suddenly. I find it to be something that needs to be cultivated, like a tender plant in one's garden. I also know that God is a God of hope and He is a very present help in times of trouble.
Today, our area is expecting Hurricane Harvey to land and make an impact somewhere, somehow. If life was this predictable. Unlike weather patterns, circumstances just show up and we are left dealing with the aftermath of whatever hit us by surprise.
I'm here to remind you that you can always put your hope in God's unchanging character. He will help you and He will make a way for you. I know it because He's done it for me and He can do the same thing for you.
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