Hope Doesn't Disappoint

What do you do when you feel defeated? These three things will get you started on the road to lasting legacy.

And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5

Hope is a grand concept!  Without it, we are full of despair and doom, and with it, we have an anchor to hold on to. A confident expectation in the Lord who will not disappoint will put a skip in your step. 

1.  ASK GOD FOR HELP

Where there is help, there is hope, and you are not helpless or hopeless.  In the deepest and darkest moments of our lives, when there was little to no hope, the Lord would graciously use something or someone to give us just a glimmer of hope.  We hung onto that new hope like hanging on to a rope from the top of a cliff.  “We would not give up!”

The enemy’s scheme is to shatter your hope so that you have nothing to live for.  Without hope, we can become desperate, and desperate people do shocking things.  Being steadfast in our commitment to thankfulness is literally a protection from drastic behavior.

In your language of asking God, make your declaration powerful by using the language: “Even though I’m feeling defeated in the area of ________, you have provided by giving me _________________.  God understands and knows your need even better than you know it yourself.  

2.  HANG ON 

The Father has you covered. We have moments when we get seriously overwhelmed about accomplishing the impossible.  This happened to us recently and the Lord used a pastor from across the world at just the right time to give us His perspective.  We checked our email, and this particular one from Australia said, “I want to encourage you and remind you that God is the alpha and omega.” We instantly realized that we were trying to do the impossible by ourselves – how ridiculous!   “He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it.”  We could have dismissed this short email, but instead, we chose to hang on to this Word and think about it and thank God for it throughout our days.  Talk about the words God has spoken to your heart.  Exalting the truth and making it big changes the atmosphere! 

We are in partnership with the King of Kings, therefore we are not alone. We don’t have to be stressed and overwhelmed by the pressures and responsibilities that surround us, we can rest in His grace as He covers us. He goes before us and makes a way for us and even prepares a feast for us in the presence of our enemies. 

Some of you are in pain physically and emotionally.  Your Father has you covered.  There’s a failure in your life and you may be at a deep point of discouragement but your Father wants to cover you. Imagine what happens when your arms it cut.  Your other hand immediately reaches over and brings pressure and covering.  Covering does two things: it protects and it promotes healing.  Invite God to enter your life as your covering, and take the time to thank Him!

“Dear Jesus, you are so faithful.  Thank you that I am covered.  You promise: “No good thing will you withhold from those who walk uprightly.”  When things pass me by and don’t turn out, I accept that you know what’s best.  I will be thankful that you are the beginning and the end. I trust you.”

3.  DON’T WAIT

Don’t wait for someone else to encourage you. This is your moment right now. As a thankful one, you exude hope to others as well as yourself. You are contagious!  When you need encouragement and hope to keep going, don’t wait for someone else to encourage you, start by encouraging yourself!  You know the truth and you can apply it by overriding the current emotion.  I’ve even left encouraging messages for myself from my home phone to my cell phone. Then, by faith you begin encouraging those around you with words of affirmation.  You can be assured that you will reap what you sow.

“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.  He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.  He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise of our God.  Many will see what He has done and be astounded.  They will put their trust in the Lord.” (Psalm 40:1,2,3)

“Lord thank you for the endless hope that I have in you.  You are my helper and my strength. I choose your highest, and your grace to carry me through.”

We are praying for you, our dear friends!

Love in Jesus,
Audrey and Bob