A LIVING HOPE Hope is both a strong belief and the anticipation that something good is going to happen. When our goals are not achieved, we may experience discouragement, which over time can turn into depression and even despair—the absence of hope. How can we remain optimistic in the face of unmet expectations? First, were to remember the reason for our confidence: our relationship with Jesus. At salvation, we were born into a living hope (v. 3)—God made us a new creation, and we are no longer in bondage to the old sin nature (2 Cor. 5:17 NIV). His Spirit lives within us. We have been made co-heirs with Christ, and our true home is in heaven with Him. Nothing can alter our familial connection with the Lord. Second, to maintain a positive outlook, we must spend daily time in the scriptures. Romans 15:4 says that the Bible was written to give us encouragement and hope. The Psalms can be especially helpful in difficult times because they express the feelings we have and also tell us about the comfort available from God. Third, we rely on the Lords faithfulness. Trusting in Him will never disappoint us because all of His promises are yes in Christ (2 Cor. 1:20). Believers should not react to trials as the world does. Were to live by faith—being sure of what we hope for (Heb. 11:1 NIV). When circumstances overwhelm you, shift your focus to the Lord. Read the scriptures to find encouragement, and be reminded of what is yours in Christ (Eph. 1:3-8). Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. (1 Peter 1:3-9)
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 09:45:46 +0000
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