Feeling Hopeless

To start the new year strong, we must end this year strong. I just left Sunday service at my home church City Reach in Austin, with pastor Chris Gilkey, where he shared this message on hope and why it is important to fully understand the power it plays in our life. 

God’s word emphasizes faith, hope and love.  These 3 words are truly pillars and key players to living out our full potential.

We often hear the word hope, but do we realize the power hope plays in our life?

So often, life and the battles it brings will chip away at our hope. Our hope in ourselves, humanity, others and our purpose. Satan is the author of lies and wants us to second guess if there is hope when all seems lost. 2020 and 2021 brought many hardships for the world, where hope may feel lost after seeing so many traumatizing events. But instead of getting stuck on the negatives, understanding hope can be a game changer for turning our mindsets around. 

Find Hope Again

Renewing hope daily is an essential tool to continue in the race God has for you.

So when it comes to hope and our current relationship with it, the first question is: where are you drawing your hope from?

Is it yourself, the government, approval from others, from another person?

It is important to identify and recognize hope based in God and his promises is what creates an unshakeable foundation. We cannot rely on another person or a job title. 

When we look to the wrong source and draw hope from that, it leaves us frustrated and filled with despair with things go wrong. 

Understanding Hope

So if you have lost hope or want to have your hope renewed, here are some important things to understand.

Hope’s Root

Just like eating food daily to nourish our bodies, God is telling us scripture and reading God’s word is the fuel to keep our hope alive. 

Romans 15:13, "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace, because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of The Holy Spirit."

I get having a busy schedule, but trying to make reading scripture daily is truly a game changer to aim for. 

Hope’s Reward

When it comes to hope for your life, this can't happen when you are constantly focused on other people and playing the comparison game.

Rather than fixing your eyes on circumstances, stay focused on believing and standing on God’s promise He has a plan for your life.

Psalm 147:11, "The Lord rewards those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His mercy."

Proverbs 23:18, "Don’t envy those far away from God, but always continue to be in wonder of the Lord. You will be rewarded for this, your hope will have a future and will not be cut off!"

 Hope’s Redemption

For the battles life brings, God says He will redeem it all and use it for good. Be expectant for pain to bring purpose.

Isaiah 40:31, "Those who put their hope in the Lord will renew their strength! They will soar on wings like eagles! They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint!"

Hope on the Battlefield

It is despair that can so easily entangle us, where hope lost can become a heavy weight on our hearts which fosters fear and chokes our faith. When seeds of doubt are allowed to take root and flourish, it acts as a paralyzing agent to living out our full purpose.

During those times when we are tempted to feel that we are the only one that is facing difficult challenges in life, it is important to realize we will all face battles, and stand on God's promises to continue being the light you were created to be.

Hebrews 12:1-3, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,  the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

1 Peter 4:12 "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you."