08/26/2025
When we go through hard times, it can be hard to be hopeful. You want to believe that things will be better, but there is this underlying fear that it will always be this way, that it will never get better, etc. This can cause you to feel hopeless.
God assures us in Romans 5:2b-5: “...And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, be 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.” We are to rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. God will get the glory in our situation—when we have come through on the other side of our situation. We are to rejoice IN our sufferings—not because of our sufferings. As we go through our sufferings, we are to remind ourselves that this suffering with produce perseverance in us (we will get through it with God’s help). This perseverance will produce character. We will grow through our situation. This character will produce hope in us that will not disappoint.
God reminds us in Hebrews 11:1 that “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Think about those words. Being sure of what we hope for—even when you can’t think of how it will work out. Being certain of what we do not see—even when there appears to not be a way.
Hebrews 11:6 says: “And without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those that earnestly seek him.” Come to God and present your requests to him. Believe that he will answer. This answer will come, although it may not be what you want. God knows what is best for you and knows the plans he has for you. Think about a time when you prayed for something that you really wanted and didn’t get it. You were disappointed at the time. But often times, you look back and are grateful you didn’t get it because God has something better. God will answer you, but most likely it will not be in your timeframe. This can be frustrating. However, you may not be ready for it or someone involved may not be ready. He is growing your character through the waiting.
It says in Romans 8:24-25: “...But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” I love that! If we hope for what we do not YET have—that word instills hope! We are to wait for it patiently—expectantly. Don’t you feel the hope rising in you?
I love how God encourages us in Romans 15:13: “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.” While we wait for God to answer, we are not to be anxious, worried, doubting, or fearful. Allow the God of hope to fill you with all JOY and PEACE as you TRUST in him. Ask God and then turn it over to him. Don’t dwell on it, trying to figure it out, etc. We can have joy and peace in the midst of our situation. When you are joyful and peaceful, hope rises up in you. Then, we will overflow with hope. It won’t be us generating that hope. It will come by the power of Holy Spirit.
I pray this encourages you today if you find yourself in a place of waiting and/or suffering.