HOPE HOLDS IN HARD TIMES

This is the first week of Advent as we prepare to celebrate the coming of Christ at his birth as a baby in Bethlehem. Last Sunday the first candle in the Advent wreath was lighted. This candle symbolizes the hope foretold by the prophets hundreds of years before the coming of Christ.

As contemporary Christians we look back in time to the coming of Christ, and the hope it gives us for living now with all the difficulties and challenges we face. The Apostle Paul wrote,

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. And 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 5:2-5)

For the follower of Christ come changes in body, soul, and spirit. We have a new spirit already that allows us to have communion with God. In the future when Christ returns to earth, we will get a new body. For the present, God is changing our soul … our thoughts, emotions, and will.

As we wait for the “sweet bye and bye,” God builds hope in us while we live in the “nasty now and now.” When we are…

Discouraged and down in the dumps, HOPE lifts our spirits.

Facing the fate of bad decisions, HOPE shows us options for right choices in the future.

Fearing failure, HOPE reminds us defeat is not final with God.

Feeling abandoned, HOPE reminds us we are not alone.

Losing someone we love in death, HOPE in the life beyond carries us through our grief.

Mired in misery, HOPE pulls us out of the ditch.

Overworked and worn out, HOPE stirs up fresh energy.

Quivering and quick to quit, HOPE steadies us and keeps us going.

Struggling with stress or illness, HOPE helps us push beyond the pain.

Unemployed or underemployed, HOPE tells us we are valuable.

Wandering and wondering, HOPE points us in the right direction.

Weary of waiting, HOPE gives us the patience to trust.

May a bright ray of hope shine on your life today!
(I look forward to the end of this year being back at the spot where I took the photo above)