Keeping the faith is one thing. But maintaining hopes during desperate, turbulent, and unbearable times is a completely different situation. Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
Hope is something you can't fake, you either have it or you don't. But hope is easier to gain than you may realize. Being hopeful is a mindset. Once you make the decision to be hopeful and not allow your circumstances to cause you to grow weary you gain power over your life.
Who the Bible say you Are
We have a tendency to allow life and temporary circumstances to tell us who we are. I do not know why but for some reason it is easier for us to believe we are inferior rather than believe we are His chosen people. The word says simply because we believe in the Lord and Jesus our Christ in Savior we a favored.
Colossians 3:12 says God's chosen people are holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
No where in there does it says we were meant to be normal, suppressed, or broken. My point is when you read the word and get to know who you are through the word. Your hope and your faith becomes impenetrable.
When you know the word for yourself you don't relay on what your Mom, boss, or even pastor says about you. You have read it and you know it for yourself. No one can take that from you.
Finding Hope in Christ
When I'm down and Christ is what gives me hope. Knowing He is the highest God and that nothing can triumph against Him. In those moments when it seems likes there may not be enough to pay for all we need.
Even though I may want to worry, I simply can't. Because I can remember the times when God has done more in my life with far less than what I have currently. There may very well be times when I don't have everything I want but I always have everything I need.
I made the decision that I was going to dwell in his shadow, hold his words to my heart, and live a life of excellence every day. It's not always easy or fun but I'm so grateful. Lord knows I don't to know where I would be without the sacrifices of Christ Jesus.
How to Stop Worrying
My husband ask me once, how can you not worry, why do you never seem to be stressed out, like do you just not care. I honestly can say God has just blessed so much even before I really knew who He was. That in my heart and spirit I always rest assured that he'll get me through anything if I just believe that He is everything the Bible says He is.
I am always in my own head, in my own thoughts, and thinking about my life experiences. Which allows me to stay in touch with the things I've been through. It easy to trust in God when you have a point of reference.
See I already know his track record, I am fully aware that my failures were my own. When I allowed myself to run wild with my own desires and ignore God is when I fell the hardest. I had to grow up, recognize, and take responsibility for the bad things that happened because I turned my back on God and thought 'I got this.'
5 Scriptures for Hope
Romans 5:35
But we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Psalm 138:8
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 43:4
Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.
