Choosing HOPE Over Despair

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jer. 29:11)."

For many, hope is a desire for something good in the future. We hope something ends soon or that a loved one arrives home safely. Though this definition is good, it expresses levels of uncertainty and doubt. This is not a full definition of biblical hope.

Biblical Hope

Biblical hope, though it includes much of our current definition, is attached to something more. Biblical hope is not just a desire for something good in the future, but rather, a confident expectation and desire for something good in the future, believing it will happen.

Hope is not merely a wish; it is assurance.

Biblical hope is in union with the "God of hope." Our hope is fixed on who our Father is and what He has said.

“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

Despair - the Absence of Hope

Despair is the opposite of hope. Despair fills a vacant room absent of hope. Despair keeps us from victory. It enslaves us to the past and overwhelms us in the present. When we feel downcast, discouraged, or despair, choose to put your hope in God.

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 42:5

Choose Hope

"He who has the most hope has the most influence." Why? Because hope is life-giving. It's courageous. It brings the goodness of God into the future. It anchors us to the God of hope. Godly leaders inspire hope. Not hope in a system, not hope in human-made governments, but hope in God.

Today, choose hope over despair! If despair knocks on your door, send it away with hope. Put your hope in God. Let God fill you to overflowing hope, impacting all of you and spilling out to all those the Lord sends your way.

Blessings!! -- Pastor Greg