Hope Floats…..or Not?

Many of us are tired and lackluster with our hope. Tired of negativity, political rancor, grumpy and whiny people. Tired of trying to make changes in our lives. But we'd better make some changes because Proverbs 13:12 says: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” Yikes! Who wants a sick heart?

When we lose hope, we lose our health, our determination, our dreams, and our desire to face another day. No wonder so many are struggling with hopelessness, heart illnesses, and even thoughts of suicide. "Is there hope to be found?" That question is asked every day:

• When waiting for test results in the doctor’s office.
• When a couple struggles in counseling without progress.
• When facing bankruptcy.
• When awaiting exam results.
• When hoping for a job callback.
• When wondering if we can come together as a nation.

Hope is essential for life. With hope in short supply, people fall for all kinds of false hopes like get-rich-quick schemes, psychic hotlines, and quack cures. Nothing disappoints more than false hope. So, where do we find real hope?

In Romans 15:13, the Apostle Paul gives us the answer: “May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in Him. Then you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

That’s what I call a HOPE boat sailing on a HOPE river that is overflowing in hope. I remember a movie called “Hope Floats!” Yes, I want my hope to float like a boat on the Hope River.

God is the only source of hope that will never disappoint. When we place our faith in Him, He provides joy, peace, and an abundance of hope. Our world needs that hope!

The most common lie of Satan is making us feel our desires, dreams, and goals are hopeless. If you've felt that way, welcome to the club! We've all experienced that uneasy feeling of hopelessness.

But the sooner we squash that lie and trust God, the source of our hope, the sooner we will be filled with joy and peace. We'll even start to see positive results in our hopes and dreams.

God is always with us! He is everywhere, and we are never alone. Where God is, HOPE is. He is Captain Hope! So, for good physical, mental, and spiritual health, let us trust our trustworty Captain Who daily encourages us to HOPE!