H.O.P.E.
Hold On Pain Ends
Have Only Positive Expectations
Heavens Opportunity Proclaimed Everywhere
Most people understand hope as wishful thinking, as in “I hope something will happen.” This is not what the Bible says hope is. The biblical definition of hope is “confident expectation.” Hope is a firm assurance regarding things that are unclear and unknown (Romans 8:24-25; Hebrews 11:1,7).
All of us have experienced times of hopelessness, despair, frustration and fear. Some even to the point of not being able to see that there is any hope left in their life.
It can be so easy to focus on the pain of our situation and be constantly trapped in it. There is a saying… “Don’t tell God how big your problem is, but tell your problem how BIG your God is.”. If we keep focusing on our problems it chokes any hope of joy, life and peace out of us. If we turn our focus to being hopeful then we Have Only Positive Expectations knowing that if we Hold On Pain Ends and then we will see Heavens Opportunity Proclaimed Everywhere!
I read this poem recently, and realised God has placed things in and around our lives that can show us there is still a fragment of hope; but He’s not incapable of restoring hope where there is no hope.
H.O.P.E.
If you can look at a sunset and smile, then you still have hope.
If you can find beauty in the colours of a small flower, then you still have hope.
If you can find pleasure in the movement of a butterfly, then you still have hope.
If the smile of a child can still warm your heart, then you still have hope.
If you see the good in other people, then you still have hope.
If the sight of a rainbow still makes you stop and stare in wonder, then you still have hope.
If the soft fur of a pet still feels pleasant under your fingertips, then you still have hope.
If you meet new people with a trace of excitement and optimism, then you still have hope.
If you give people the benefit of the doubt, then you still have hope.
If you still offer your hand in friendship to others that have touched your life, then you still have hope.
If receiving an unexpected card or letter still brings a pleasant surprise, then you still have hope.
If the suffering of others still fills you with pain and frustration, then you still have hope.
If you refuse to let a friendship die, or accept that it must end, then you still have hope.
If you look forward to a time or place of quiet and reflection, then you still have hope.
If you still buy the ornaments, put up a Christmas tree and believe in the ‘miracle of Christmas’, then you still have hope.
If, when faced with the bad, when told everything is futile, you can still look up and end the conversation with the phrase…”Yeah… BUT…,” then you still have hope!
(author unkown)
Where is your hope today? Be encouraged and build your hope on nothing less than Jesus himself. He is your solid rock in which all other ground is sinking sand. Hope today, hope now! Whoever hopes in God and trusts in Him, will never be disappointed.
A seed of hope is the beginning of every good thing in our lives. Hope gives birth to the overcoming life. It always believes for the best, even in the face of the worst circumstances. For believers in Christ, hope is much more than a wish, yearning or a positive outlook, it is based on the promises of God found in His Word.
We can have hope in life no matter what surrounds us, because we serve a mighty God who cares. He knows us by name (Isaiah 45:3). He understands the desires of our heart (1 Chronicles 28:9), and He knew us before we were even formed in our mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5).
Once we choose HOPE anything is possible! “For I know the plans that I have for you, says the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).