Fueled With Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (New International Version)

I received an email from a friend who admits to struggling with staying hopeful that her situation will improve. She sees small rays of light and many moments of uncertainty. Another friend lives with physical pain and a debilitating disease. In the midst of more pain than wholeness she too fights to hold on to hope. For some it is finances, job security, difficult marriages, wayward children, strained or severed relationships, or any number of scenarios that lie outside our ability to bring about the change we long for.

I am involved in a study entitled Created to be God’s Friend. At times, the lessons can be profound as God uses them to shine the light of truth on my internal world. This past week as I was answering questions, one answer exposed my own feeling of hopelessness. I was forced to admit my doubts about forthcoming change in me. Because I still battle on a daily basis certain mindsets and attitudes, I succumbed to the idea that complete freedom and wholeness would not be realized in this life time. I know now that it is a dangerous thing to wave the white flag of surrender over any area of my life that stands within the arena of God’s transforming touch. God, who never changes, does not view me as unchangeable, and He wants me to trust Him enough to bring about those changes.

With the truths of Scripture, the empowering of the Holy Spirit, and timely counsel of a wise friend, my hope has been re-ignited. I am not a basket case or a statue of immobility when it comes to God’s work in my life. My situations of the heart are not outside the realm of His potter’s wheel. How the enemy must detest truth that he knows will set me free.

To any who are facing what feels like hopeless scenarios, I give to you the words of today’s verse and ask you to allow God to speak them over your life. In the midst of pain, turmoil, or disappointment, it is God’s intent that you walk with hope, peace, and joy. Those are not empty words! They are banners of victory waved over us even though we can’t see the end of our stories. The God of hope wants to lavish us with the hope that only He can give. As I allow Him to do that I notice what I am hoping for is changing and with that change I am being changed.

Father, my view of You and what You are like is changing for the good. I live in the hope You provide and I dance with delight! Amen.

The Voice of Hope - Lara Martin
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qbk1TGe5k0Q

I welcome your questions and comments to any devotional thoughts. I am honored and delighted to share my journey with you and privileged to hear of yours.