Where is your hope? What keeps you encouraged and optimistic for the future? What keeps your faith strong?
Our hope is in the Lord. He alone is our constant, the one who will never fail us.
The other night I was driving home. I really enjoy driving, I have a comfy ride and it is a peaceful time to talk with God. As I drove I confided in God. I was low, but I knew that He would renew my strength.
Talk with God
I know all things are known to God, you can’t hide anything from Him, yet I like to tell Him what’s on my mind. Ask for His wisdom and His peace. Ask Him to renew my hope. It’s funny, in these conversations, it’s not that I hear a vocal response, but rather a bit of inspiration will strike, another perspective will occur to me.
I’ve recently been going over and over Jeremiah 29:11:
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
I love to recite that verse, to remind myself of such a special promise. It’s not just that the Lord plans to give us a hope and a future, but also His plans for us are good and not for disaster. I’ve noticed a lot of signs and Bible verse plaques leave the middle part of this verse out – but that is key to the whole verse!
I once read that when you pray and talk with God, you are to remind Him of the promises He has given us. To claim them, step into them and strengthen your faith. It is as if you are saying I believe and this promise gives me hope!
Surprise Me!
I read something else that really inspired me in a Norman Vincent Peale book. He wrote about a lady who had a way of expecting something wonderful to happen. Every day she would thank God for caring for her and ask that He surprise her in some unexpected way.
She said that it never failed – every day something unexpectedly good would happen, but it was directly linked to how strong she truly believed it would. On days when she only expected it half-heartedly, only something small would occur. But on the days that she really got her hopes up, really expected something remarkable, something extra special would happen!
It’s not that she got to make a wish and have it granted, but rather she anticipated God’s plan for her as being good and expected evidence of it throughout her day! And I loved the picture that painted! One might be quick to claim aches and pains, foul weather, or difficult customers – why not instead claim a wonderful surprise?! Be it ease from discomfort, a burst of energy, an encouraging and appreciative customer?!
Hope in the Lord
I’ve really been working on this lately, reminding myself my hope is in the Lord. It isn’t found in other people or things. But I can go one step further, I can anticipate not just peace and security in God, but I can expect and claim good, even wonderful, things!
How will you surprise me today, Lord? I’ll pray as I go about my day. And I can be sure that the surprise will be something positive, because God has plans for my good and not for disaster – Jeremiah 29:11 tells me so!
God is our one dependable constant in this world, you can count on Him! Expect wonderful things and just see what happens! Thank Him for His provision and His love!
Until Next Time!
Hope.
PS. Keep reading: https://www.theamericanlady.com/2018/04/04/get-your-hopes-up/