“I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.”
Psalms 130:5 NLT
While scrolling through my Instagram feed, I came across a post that stated, “Hope is a practice. Hope is a choice. Hope is cultivated. It is exercised. Hope is developed. Hope is not a feeling.” (Sharon McMahon)
Yes, hope is more than a feeling. It is a way of living. We can be intentional about embracing a hope-filled life. How? you ask.
“Hope is more than wishful thinking or anticipating the best possible outcome. That’s optimism. Hope—that is, Christian hope—is the desire for the Kingdom of Heaven in the here and now. It inspires us to act with kindness, gentleness, and generosity so we might know and experience peace and joy today. Hope is trusting in Christ’s promise of intimacy with God instead of fearing loneliness and isolation. Hope is relying on God’s grace instead of our own strength or abilities.” (Bob Burnham, OFS)
Embracing hope in your life sometimes means that is the only thing you are holding onto. When darkness invades, and when nothing seems like it will ever improve, that is where our hope in the Lord will ignite us to continue to walk towards the light.
Perhaps you are currently in the middle of a life-altering situation. Anxiety, depression, doubt, and fear have set in. But they are no match for our God! When we choose hope, we are depending on God. We acknowledge that He is the source of hope, and we can rejoice in Him and the hope He promises us.
Right now I am hoping for physical healing due to a chronic condition. The Holy Spirit has told me, “Your faith has healed you.” Since I have this nugget of hope, I am believing in God for physical healing and am holding tight to His word.
The promises of God are the basis for our hope. Because God has promised it, then we can count on it no matter the circumstances or how long the wait is.
PRAYER
Father God,
I pray to choose hope, no matter what comes my way. I believe You are working everything out for good in Your time. Fill me with Your grace, joy, and peace as I live a life filled with hope.
Amen.