Hope

I've been thinking a lot about "hope" lately.




I have grabbed several dictionary definitions as follows:

1. to wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment.
2. to have confidence; trust.
3. the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best
4. a person or thing in which expectations are centered
5. a wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment.
Hope will be the underlying thread - the BIG idea - of our Are You Going to be OK? series.

In Chuck Swindoll's Hope Again he states, "Hope is a wonderful gift from God, a source of strength and courage in the face of life's harshest trials."

He goes on to say:
· When we are trapped in a tunnel of misery, hope points to the light at the end.
· When we are overworked and exhausted, hope gives us fresh energy.
· When we are discouraged, hope lifts our spirits.
· When we are tempted to quit, hope keeps us going.
· When we lose our way and confusion blurs the destination, hope dulls the edge of panic.
· When we struggle with a crippling disease or a lingering illness, hope helps us persevere beyond the pain.
· When we must endure the consequences of bad decisions, hope fuels our recovery.
· When we find ourselves unemployed, hope tells us we still have a future.
· When we are forced to sit back and wait, hope gives us the patience to trust.
· When we feel rejected and abandoned, hope reminds us we are not alone... we'll make it.

God, treat us kindly. You're our only hope. First thing in the morning, be there for us! When things go bad, help us out!
Isaiah 33:2 (MSG)

".... God— you're my only hope!
Psalms 143:9 (MSG)