"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) We can hope because we have received the love of God in Christ who died for us. We believe that God who loves us, will give us the hope we need, to sustain us. We open our hearts and minds to receive that which we need, when all things seem to be hopeless and we are tempted to despair. We ask for the gift of the Spirit which Jesus came to give us. How do we draw on that kind of hope? It comes from being filled with the Spirit. This is the hope that gives us courage to praise today and face tomorrow with expectancy even when we do not expect the problem to be solved." (Lewis Smedes, Love Within Limits, p. Hope looks to the promise of the final victory of Jesus Christ over all that hurts and kills.
"Hope looks beyond a cure for disease, a solution for a problem, an escape from pain, to an assurance from God that life has point and meaning in spite of disease, problems, and pain.
So Paul prays for those he loves: "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) Love's hope finds its confidence in God's eternal plan which is beyond human understanding. Love's hope is not just unrealistic expectations. Love's hope is not just wishful thinking. The answer is that love's source is in God. How can love always hope when the situation seems hopeless? How can you continue to love when your alcoholic husband is abusive? How can you continue to love when your son or daughter rejects your faith and all the values you taught them to respect? How can you continue to love God when an incurable disease is destroying your loved one? How can we continue to love when prospects in this life seem hopeless? Swindoll, Hope Again: When Life Hurts and Dreams Fade, pp.xi,xii) * When we say our final farewell to someone we love, hope in the life beyond gets us through our grief." * When we feel rejected and abandoned, hope reminds us we're not alone.we'll make it. * When we are forced to sit back and wait, hope gives us the patience to trust. * When we find ourselves in financial difficulty, hope tells us that we still have a future. * When we must endure the consequences of bad decisions, hope fuels our recovery. * When we fear the worst, hope brings reminders that God is still in control. * When we struggle with a crippling disease or a lingering illness, hope helps us persevere beyond the pain. * When we lose our way and confusion blurs our destination, hope dulls the edge of panic. * When we are tempted to quit, hope keeps us going. * When we are discouraged, hope lifts our spirits. * When we are overworked and exhausted, hope gives us fresh energy. * "When we are trapped in a tunnel of misery, hope points to the light at the end.
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