Finding Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

When we’re battling difficult circumstances, how do our friends or colleagues respond? Usually with encouraging words like, “I’ll be hoping for the best ” or, “hopefully things turn around soon”. They hope for the best on our behalf.

However, hope isn’t a verb. It’s not something we can do for ourselves, let alone decide to do on a whim for someone else.

Then where do we find hope?

We find hope in God’s presence. When life feels out of control, turn to Him in prayer. “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone (Psalm 62:6–7 NLT).”

We find hope in God’s promise—His living Word. “My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word (Psalm 119:81 ESV).”

We find hope in God’s process, which almost never matches our own human understanding. Even in our pain, God is at work sewing things together for good. This may not translate to our comfort, it’s meant to conform us to be more like Christ (Romans 8:28). God uses our struggles to produce endurance, which produces character, and character produces hope (Romans 5:3–5).

We find hope in God’s purpose for our lives. Every single one of us has been created with a divine plan in mind. “‘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’ (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT).”

And finally, we find hope in the promise of things yet to come. In John 14:1–2 (NLT), Christ says, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?”

Hope is not something we do, it’s something we possess; gifted to us by God’s unending grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. Hope is the anchor for our soul (Hebrews 6:19) and without it, we’re incomplete (Proverbs 13:12).

Are you hopeful? If not, are there areas of your life that you’re not fully trusting the Lord?

Today’s author: Mark Henderson—Founder of The Inspired Legacy

Mark is a creative professional with more than 20 years experience in the fields of web design and advertising. He also serves as the chief content officer at The Inspired Legacy, an online ministry dedicated to shining a light on God’s gift of parenthood. The organization aims to inspire and equip fathers to boldly lead their families, love their kids unconditionally, and leave a legacy of grown children that carry on these same traditions. Mark resides in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with his wife, Kimberly. Together, they have three children, two girls, and one boy.