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"Our hope is the Promise, not the possiblities. Although I can have hope for better [situations], what I need to rest in is the promise that God will sustain me in all circumstances and provide me a residence in His presence, no matter what." —Jim Arnold
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"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
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The God of Hope...
What does it mean that God is the God of hope? The future is out of our control. Situations don't always turn out like we imagined. Without hope, life can feel dark and meaningless. God is our hope because he controls the past, the present and the future. He promises that he will always love us and care for us when we follow him. We can have hope—not that circumstances will always turn out perfect—but that God will care for us no matter what happens. He knows you intimately, what you can and cannot handle. And he won't allow anything to happen to you beyond that limit. In the midst of trials, he promises to be your strength. That is hope, to never be alone, even in the darkest circumstances!
Ultimately, our hope is in Jesus Christ. His life, death and resurrection made a way for us to have relationship with God forever. Jesus rising from the dead means that all who believe in him as their Savior do not have to fear death. The grave is no longer the final word—as God's children, we will spend eternity in his presence where there will be no more pain, suffering, dying or disappointment. Troubles in this life cannot be compared to our hope for the life to come!
Joy and Peace...
What could be more unnatural in grief than to feel joyful and peaceful? Only the Lord can give true joy and peace, despite awful situations. The pain won't go away; the sorrow won't necessarily be lessened. But next to those emotions can be the blessing of God's pure joy and peace. If you are looking for joy or peace in your life right now, they can be yours. Nothing gives God more happiness than inviting someone to come to him for relief, rest and salvation. Tell God what you have been through. Tell him that you can't get through life without him and that you have placed your hope in his Son, Jesus Christ. Ask God to become the center of your life, your support, joy and hope because of Jesus' life, death, and victory over the grave. If you ask, he will not fail to answer! The beautiful difference between following Christ and following other religions is that Christianity is not merely a set of rules or philosophies; it is a living, growing relationship with the God of the universe.
Secondly, there is nothing you have to do to gain acceptance with God. He's already said that he wants you to be in his family! And by giving his Son as a payment for all of the wrong in your life, he proved how serious he is. Asking God to come into your life won't make all of your problems go away. But God will give you a new heart. In place of all the dark, ugly parts of yourself, he will put clean, beautiful, whole parts. You might not notice it overnight—but you will become a new person! The Bible says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). That's hope!
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