I confess that I went looking for a quote about hope because my spirits were sagging a bit. Yes, this quote was selected because I’m encouraging myself, but I also hope you’re encouraged by the words shared. And I know that when you all join the conversation by leaving a comment, you so often encourage and uplift me and others, too.
Scripture tells us to encourage others in the way we’ve been comforted. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) Hope is a priceless commodity, one that is so needed during times of struggle or doubt … when “circumstantial evidence”, as I like to call it, tells me there’s no way I can win, so why not quit?
In tough times, hope becomes my lifeline. My reason to keep going. Hope for tomorrow, yes, but even longer than that — hope for eternity. Because sometimes we need to remember that we’re made for eternity, not just for today. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
Hope allows me to see past whatever I’m facing right this moment and remember there is more to my life than the hard, discouraging, how-do-I-get-through-this stuff. Hope reminds me that:
- nothing can separate me from God (Romans 8:31-39)
- fear is not of God (2 Timothy 1:7)
- God loves me with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)
- God hears me when I pray (Psalm 17:6)
Hope reframes life for me. Hope says “more” when I could easily fall into a “less than” mentality. And isn’t God a God of more?
In Your Words: When “circumstantial evidence” piles up and makes you want to quit, how do you find hope again?
[ctt template=”8″ link=”S9h3D” via=”yes” ]In Others\’ Words: Creating Hope http://wp.me/p63waO-2js #InOthersWords #quote #choosinghope[/ctt] [ctt template=”8″ link=”yfTAD” via=”yes” ]\”The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day He created Spring.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2js #quote #BernardWilliams #hope[/ctt]
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Comments 5
Spring is my favorite season & hope is wonderful fuel. For me remembering past victories, breakthroughs provides confident momentum for going forward, like I love my car coasting downhills picking up momentum to get a good head start on the next uphill slope. Besides being fun, it works.
Author
Yes, Dee, remembering past victories provides hope! <3
Great essay, Beth. This can be so hard!
It’s a struggle for me now, because physical circumstances are deteriorating more quickly than I would like, and with more discomfort.
Sometimes I find hope in being able to flog myself into doing more than I thought I could do, because I know that more will be demanded of me tomorrow. AT least I’ve shown that I still have some reserves left.
Author
Yes, Andrew — and your continued determined — dogged determination — to do more gives me hope that I can determine to do and be more too.
Hope reminds me of Cynthia Ruchti and her new book Fragile Hope. Loved it and would love to win. I don’t tweet