Hope - Again...

I attended a funeral this week. A 17 year old girl killed in a tragic accident that was not her fault. I had met her once or twice. My girls worked with her, and work with her sisters.

The pastor leading the service spoke about the word, "hope." Hard to hope when your heart is numb and your head is filled with pain and questions. It is hard to hope when you feel like life has been sucked out of you.

And yet... hope is what pulls us through.

Interestingly enough, Faith comes before Hope. Faith is belief in something, usually unseen. Hope that it will happen comes from the faith.

The word I have held onto in life the past four years is Faith. This week I understand more why... I have Faith in Someone I cannot see. I do this because I believe I have been Created in His image. I believe that He loves me and takes care of me.

That Faith brings Hope that He will continue to take care of me.

Sometimes that Hope waivers because something doesn't happen the way I wanted. I "hoped for a different outcome" with a relationship. I "hoped for a different response from an employer." My core being fights "hoping" again because it has been diminished.

And yet... my Faith says, "Hope - again. God has taken care of you in the past and He will continue to do that."

I pick up the pieces and find a way to Hope - again.

Friends, when we are hit with hard places in life, sometimes it is not easy to have faith or hope. In those moments, dig deep. They say that thinking of three positive things a day can train (or retrain) your brain to stay positive. Staying positive is staying hopeful.

Romans 15:13

May God, source of hope, fill you completely with joy and shalom as you continue trusting, so that by the power of the Ruach HaKodesh you may overflow with hope. (CJB)

Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in Him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with His super-abundance until you radiate with hope. (Passion Translation)

When the going gets tough, dig deep into Faith knowing that Someone loves you and cares. That He knows the bigger picture. That He is leading and guiding you on paths of righteousness for His name sake. Then HOPE - again, and share that Hope and Love with those around you.

Love and blessings friends,

Rose