Promises About the Renewal of Hope

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3

By two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.  We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Hebrews 6:18-19

This I call to mind and therefore I have hope:  Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23

Pain Has A Purpose

When we realize our days here matter, our pain has significance, and our choices are meaningful, we can step through the darkest of times with hope in your hearts.  It's not that we won't waver, but even our inquiries have the potential, when we are seeking, to lead us to a stronger faith. 

I find that my joy is enlarged by understanding that, as a child of God, even my pain has purpose.  That realization doesn't eliminate my pain, but it makes it more manageable, allowing me other emotions in the midst of calamity, even joy.

Promises About Hope

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.  Proverbs 13:12

Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?   Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.  Psalm 42:11

Everything that was written int he past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.   Romans 15:4

Never Give Up Hope

Hope is a precious gift of our salvation.  While w can "hope" that our kids don't spill their soda, we must remember that our only reliable hope is in what we cannot see or control:  the outrageous faithfulness of God.  Our responsibility to him as his children is to study his character so we will know, without a doubt, that whatever way he deals with our circumstances in life, it's the right way.  Even when things don't work out the way we planned or desired, he is all-knowing, all-loving, the beginning and the ending.  Hope is acting on the conviction that despite what we see with the natural eye, God is working in the spiritual realm to accomplish his perfect will in our lives.  His hope does not disappoint!

God's Word declares hope. God's promises proclaim hope.  We must think hope.  Speak hope.  Pray hope.  Sing hope.  Act hope.  Share hope.  In other words, get our hopes up.  Because hope has been given to us, we can expect the best, even in the worst conditions.  Praise God!

Sheila Walsh
Laughter for a Woman's Soul