Hope stirs up expectations in our minds. We look forward to good things with an optimistic perspective.
We long for
- a good school year.
- everything getting done before a deadline.
- good medical test results.
- getting through a crazy, busy day.
These are honest desires all in a chaotic world. However, if our expectation is based on good results from short-term events, we live from situation to situation without an anchor. The pace of life and the stress of worry wear us down.
Hope becomes elusive when unexpected things happen. Not only that, but we doubt our worth or ability, heading on a downward spiral of hopelessness.
When I’ve been in a discouraging season of life, it’s hard not to look at the overwhelming situations. Health problems and financial concerns burdened my heart. I had a choice to make—to keep my eyes on the bleak problems or to change my perspective. If I kept my eyes on the problems, I would remain depressed. If I changed my focus to the Lord, I could cling to genuine hope.
A Bible verse gave me focus and a better perspective. I wrote it on a 3 x 5 card and taped it to the dashboard of my car. Whenever I started my car, I read it. When I turned the engine off, I read it. By reading it several times daily, the verse was soon memorized. It became an anchor for me. Instead of worrying all the time, I began to pray more with a new infusion of genuine 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
Several lessons arose from reading that verse on my dashboard.
The Lord is our anchor, steadying us in the waters of life.
An anchor, when tossed in the water, keeps a boat from drifting away in the wind or current. With the Lord as our anchor, we won’t drift away from His truth when rough waters come into our lives.
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5 NIV
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19 NIV
Look at the Lord for a better perspective, not at the problem.
Why are you depressed, O my soul? Why are you upset? Wait for God! For I will again give thanks to my God for his saving intervention. Psalm 42:5 NET
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24 NIV
Prayer gives us a new infusion of hope knowing the Lord hears us.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 NIV
Reading the Word of God calmed my spirit and restored hopefulness. Releasing my worry to the Lord in prayer brought peace during the trial, keeping me steady. In the end, my perspective improved with greater faith.
When hope wanes, prayer restores us to a new perspective.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Do you have health problems? Financial issues? Relationship challenges? Are you overwhelmed? Calm your heart before the Lord.
Come to the Lord to find genuine hope.
