Hope.

Hope – noun; a belief in a positive outcome, even when circumstances seem otherwise. – verb; to believe, desire, or trust.

What do you hope in?

• Money?
• Possessions?
• Friends/Relationships?
• Yourself?
• Goals?

Have any (or all) of these things let you down at some point in your life?

"There's just no hope.. "

Often times when your high hopes aren't met, the higher your despair. This can cause us to lose heart in the things we believe in. One disappointment can make you want to give up or quit. Proverbs tells us this very fact, "Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around" (13:12). But the Lord doesn't want us to lose hope; we must continue in faith and love with God as a guide.

"Nothing but false hope.. "

Pinning your hopes on "stuff" is the basis of false hope. Searching for fulfillment in things or activities or people leads to emptiness, disappointment, and pain. You will always be let down by putting hope in the things of this world. But guess who will not fail you, Isaiah 40:31 says, "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; the will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." That's God telling us he won't let us down, let us fail or let us become weary, if we continue to hope in him.

So what gives you hope? Is there meaning in suffering?

Abiding (or pressing forward) in hope…

If you're in a battle, you have to keep going. Don't put up the white flag. The Bible tells us those who hope in Jesus will not be disappointed! (Isaiah 49:23) So don't stop believing even when you feel hopeless because the Lord is there to strengthen and supply you with what you need to survive. DON'T PRAY FOR A LIGHTER LOAD, PRAY FOR A STRONGER BACK!

If God raised Jesus from the dead, what can he not do for you!? This is a living hope, a fulfilling hope, a security. In Hebrews, it says that God wanted to make sure we knew his promise would never change, that he is a just God and that this is not all there is. If we are diligent with hope, we can be sure that he is our firm and secure anchor and we will one day be with him in heaven. (Heb 6:19)

"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, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." – 1 Peter 1:3-5

If that isn't an active/living hope, I don't what is!

God has a purpose for your life. All the experiences and failures of the past are a journey to the hope and glory of Jesus Christ. But it's about putting one foot right in front of the other and continuing with your head held high.

"We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." - Romans 5:2-5

Did you get that? HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT. CHRIST WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!Everything happens for a reason. If it's hard, keep going, he's making you stronger and better because it's his will for your life.

I'll close with this: "May the God of hope fill you all with 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

Comment Question: How can you strengthen your hope in Christ?