It is human nature always to seek a fresh cause for optimism. As caretakers it is a short trip to doubt and not believing. Where can we go, other than the Lord to have a ‘refill’ of hope? With hope comes all the other attributes, like joy and peace. When we become negative instead of positive, we are doubting instead of believing. This doubt can steal our joy, believing releases it. We must be watchful, not to let ‘doubt’ creep up on us. We all know it takes constant resilience and much prayer.
According to the dictionary - Hope is a feeling of expectation and a desire for a certain thing to happen, a feeling of trust, grounds for believing something good may happen, seeing some hope for the future. According to a Bible Concordance – Hope is the reliance on God’s blessings and provision, the expectation of future good.
We do not have to question how we persevere with hope, we find inspiration in the Scriptures. Romans 15:4-5, “For whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus.” When we have unity, we are enabled to glorify and praise God together.
To believe that God is never changing – immutable – not capable of or susceptible to change, we look to Hebrews 6:17-18, “So when God wanted to give the heirs of His promise an even clearer demonstration of the immutability of His purpose, He intervened with an oath. So that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope that lies before us.” Faith and perseverance will lead to the realization of all God has promised. The presence of the Lord guarantees that hope. Possessing God’s promise, we need not fear or doubt.
Every moment is an opportunity to change our perspective and see the good in a situation. When we frame our thoughts through the positive lens of love and trust that God will lead us to our best life, good things happen. If our faith is fear-based, we will live a life of fear. Believe big – God is on our side, live a life of continuing hope! Despite difficult circumstances, our greatest peace is knowing God is with us always.
We pray that the Lord will plant seeds of hope in the places where we are discouraged and uncertain, particularly as caretakers. We take encouragement from the words of Isaiah 40:31, “They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on eagle’s wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.” Regardless of any crooked steps, may this be our enduring hope!