Fostering a spirit of hope is essential for the person who wishes to remain at peace with themselves, with others and with the world. For hope is a waiting time, it takes patience and perseverance to maintain a spirit of hope. But most important of all, hope is when we trust God to guide us through the vagaries and difficulties of life, without becoming discouraged or falling into despair.
Maintaining hope is an act of confidence in a loving God, even if the situation may seem desperate, still we hope that through God we will have the strength to persevere. But we also need to make sure our own priorities are correct in that we are not here to accumulate wealth, social position nor worldly honours. We are here to do the Will of the Father and to live to please Him in all our endeavours.
Keeping our hope is not about making sure God meets our requirements, but it is about making sure we know what God requires from each of us. It is the knowledge that what we hope for will be granted to us if it be the will of God and then maintaining our hope when the response to our wants is met with a no.
For in each of our lives, there comes a time, when we must all put away childish longings and to mature into wanting that which God longs to grant us, to love Him with all our hearts, minds and soul. For our Heavenly Father is not looking for great words in that He is The Word, our Heavenly Father is not in need of love in that He is Love. But God does long to give of Himself to each of us.
It is hope that allows us to see beyond our circumstances and hope that teaches us that through all things, no matter how difficult, God is in control. Keeping a spirit of hope has nothing to do with getting our own way, or trying to control situations to suit our own advantage. To hope is to let go of our need to control and to be open to the Triune Spirit as He guides each of us on our journey towards Himself.
As Scripture reminds us, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access (by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us."
Hope is the key to joy, and it is a spirit of joy that is the song of the soul.
Peace of Christ to you ALL
Copyright © 2005 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.
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